The various FIA World Touring Car Championship award winners gathered at a prize-giving ceremony with a difference in Paris tonight.
As well as celebrating the achievements of a number of WTCC drivers and teams, the inaugural Motorsport Awards by Eurosport Events recognised the success recorded by competitors from the FIA European Touring Car Cup, the FIA European Rally Championship and the FIM Endurance World Championship for motorbikes.
Eurosport Events promotes all four categories and the ceremony at the Paris Motorcycle Show in the French capital brought together leading lights from two and four wheels, and from the racing circuits of the world and the rally stages of Europe under one roof for the first time for a truly memorable and historic occasion. FIA President Jean Todt and FIM President Vito Ippolito were among the guests of honour.
“It felt good to gather the touring car, rally and endurance bike families tonight in Paris for the first Eurosport Events’ Motorsport Awards,” said Head of Eurosport Events, François Ribeiro. “Many of our touring car or rally drivers ride bikes on a day-to-day basis and follow motorbike racing. Vice-versa, when we realised how many World Endurance riders are watching the WTCC on TV, we thought it would make sense to organise a common prize giving ceremony for the four European and world championships we have under the Eurosport Events umbrella. It was also unique to host the FIA and FIM Presidents together, a very strong and positive message for motorsport.”
José María López, who secured his second WTCC Drivers’ title in as many seasons with Citroën, said: “I never imagined these great things would happen to me but I am lucky to be with such a good team. I was very happy when I arrived in the WTCC and I still enjoy every day.”
Yves Matton, the Citroën Racing Director, celebrated the company’s second consecutive WTCC Manufacturers’ crown by paying tribute to his drivers López, Sébastien Loeb, Ma Qing Hua and Yvan Muller. “It’s like a dream for us but you need to have the drivers to do what we do and we have the drivers. It’s fantastic to be in the top four positions in the championship.”
Honda-driving Yokohama Drives’ Trophy champion Norbert Michelisz added: “After an intense battle for the title I am quite proud not only for myself but for Zengő Motorsport. Without them I wouldn’t be here.”
The WTCC drivers and teams honoured on the night were as follows:
WTCC Drivers’ championship first place: José María López
WTCC Drivers’ championship second place: Yvan Muller
WTCC Drivers’ championship third place: Sébastien Loeb
WTCC Manufacturers’ championship first place: Citroën Total WTCC
Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy first place: Norbert Michelisz
Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy second place: Mehdi Bennani
Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy third place: Tom Chilton (awarded accepted by Francesca Valdani)
Yokohama Teams’ Trophy first place: ROAL Motorsport
There was also a special award handed to WTCC emerging talent Hugo Valente. The 23-year-old from France received the inaugural AUTO BILDGoldenes Lenkrad (Golden Wheel) for his impressive qualifying lap during the WTCC Race of Germany weekend at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife in May. A jury consisting of representatives of the leading German publication, race organisers ADAC Nordrhein, the German motorsport federation DMSB and WTCC promoter Eurosport Events judged Valente as the winner of the solid bronze trophy.
“It means a lot, I’m very happy and this trophy will definitely have a place in my living room,” said Valente. “But I take it more than just for the Nürburgring but as a trophy for the season because I have been judged wrongly sometimes, I’ve had some bad luck and I’ve made some mistakes. I’m not saying I was perfect all season but if you take the average results of all the qualifying I’m the first non-Citroën and I’m very happy about that.”
