Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel ended an outstanding season by winning two major prizes at last night?s Autosport Awards in association with Castrol EDGE. Not only did the German ace receive his trophy for ending 2011 top of the Castrol EDGE Rankings, he also joined motorsport greats Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell and Michael Schumacher in winning the International Racing Driver of the Year award for a second year in a row.


World Champ Sebastien Vettel was the big winner at the Autosport Awards

Sebastian Loeb who finished the year ninth in the Castrol EDGE Rankings after winning his eighth consecutive World Rally Championship, was named International Rally Driver of the Year, whilst the Castrol EDGE backed Mini John Cooper Works picked up the Rally Car of the Year. There was also silverware for Jenson Button, who lies third in the Rankings after an outstanding season in the Formula 1 World Championships as he scooped up the British Competition Driver of the Year award.

The star studded occasion at the Grosvenor Hotel in London was attended by a who?s who of motorsport. As part of Castrol EDGE?s support of the awards several competition winners were given the opportunity to attend the ceremony normally reserved for VIPs and industry insiders. For those who missed out, Castrol EDGE has produced an extended highlights video which can be seen by clicking below:


Vettel?s double win at Castrol EDGE Autosport Awards
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 2011

World Champ Sebastien Vettel was the big winner at the Autosport Awards
Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel ended an outstanding season by winning two major prizes at last night?s Autosport Awards in association with Castrol EDGE. Not only did the German ace receive his trophy for ending 2011 top of the Castrol EDGE Rankings, he also joined motorsport greats Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell and Michael Schumacher in winning the International Racing Driver of the Year award for a second year in a row.

Sebastian Loeb who finished the year ninth in the Castrol EDGE Rankings after winning his eighth consecutive World Rally Championship, was named International Rally Driver of the Year, whilst the Castrol EDGE backed Mini John Cooper Works picked up the Rally Car of the Year. There was also silverware for Jenson Button, who lies third in the Rankings after an outstanding season in the Formula 1 World Championships as he scooped up the British Competition Driver of the Year award.

The star studded occasion at the Grosvenor Hotel in London was attended by a who?s who of motorsport. As part of Castrol EDGE?s support of the awards several competition winners were given the opportunity to attend the ceremony normally reserved for VIPs and industry insiders. For those who missed out, Castrol EDGE has produced an extended highlights video which can be seen by clicking below:


Other winners on the night were Paul di Resta who was recognised for a fantastic maiden season in Formula 1 with the Rookie of the Year award. Whilst the 2011 Formula Renault 2.0 UK Vice-Champion Oliver Rowland was earmarked as a star of the future after joining the likes of David Coulthard, Jenson Button and Dario Franchitti in collecting the coveted McLaren Autosport BRDC award which recognises the best young racing driver in the UK.

Speaking at the annual awards, Castrol ambassador and former Formula 1 race winner ? Johnny Herbert ? said; ?The Autosport Awards are the most prestigious awards ceremony in motorsport and the perfect climax to the season. It?s fantastic to see all of motorsports greats, past, present and future, under one roof celebrating each other?s achievements.?


The Autosport Awards, presented by Castrol EDGE stage

2011 Autosport Awards in Association with Castrol EDGE Winners:
International Racing Driver of the Year ? Sebastian Vettel
Castrol EDGE Rankings Driver of the Year ? Sebastian Vettel
Rookie of the Year ? Paul di Resta
National Racing Driver of the Year ? Matt Neal
Racing Car of the Year ? Red Bull RB7
International Rally Driver of the Year ? Sebastian Loeb
Rally Car of the Year ? Mini John Cooper Works
British Competition Driver of the Year ? Jenson Button
British Club Driver of the Year ? Alex Lynn
The John Bolster Award for Technical Excellence ? Gian Paolo Dallara
The Gregor Grant Award for Lifetime Achievement ? Damon Hill & Dan Wheldon
The Autosport Pioneering and Innovation Awards ? ?Senna?
The McLaren Autosport BRDC Award ? Oliver Rowland


The Castrol EDGE Rankings is based on drivers' measurable performance over the last 12 months, including everything from their grid position to fastest laps. For further information on how the Castrol Rankings scores are calculated, click here.