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At the FIA 2019 Prize-Giving Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Mercedes were awarded their 2019 trophies, while Niki Lauda was named Personalty of the Year.
Traditionally the winners of all FIA-sanctioned motorsport competitions get officially crowned at the Prize-Giving ceremony at the end of the year.
At last night’s ceremony Hamilton was presented the famous Formula 1 World Championship trophy, after another dominant season in 2019. Hamilton took home his sixth crown with 11 victories (equaling his 2018 achievement), while also accumulating 413 points, the most points ever scored in a single season. Hamilton took the opportunity to look back at his ‘best year ever’.
“It’s been the best year I’ve ever had in my career,” said Hamilton.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved as a team. To come into a sixth year, to have fought for a world title at the front and sustained the performance we have collectively I think has been amazing.
“And on the driver front, I’m definitely very happy with my performance this year. There’s been lots of great races, the last few years have been intense with Ferrari, but having another team up there in the loop has made it more challenging for all us.”
Valtteri Bottas, who drove the championship winning W10 on stage, was presented his runner-up trophy. It is the Finn’s best result in Formula 1 so far.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was presented the team’s 2019 Constructors’ Championship trophy, a trophy that hasn’t left the their home base in Brackley for six consecutive years. Ferrari is the only other team in history that managed to achieve such a feat.
“This season has been very challenging,” Wolff said.
“We had to raise the bar once again and achieved some remarkable results. I’m incredibly proud and honoured to receive this trophy on behalf of everyone in Brackley, Brixworth and Stuttgart.
“Everyone within this team knows how much hard work, dedication and skill it takes to perform all year long at this level. This trophy is the result of that passion and dedication.
“Congratulations to all those who received awards at this year’s FIA Prize Giving Gala. This event is a great way to bring the motorsport family together, celebrating everyone’s achievements.”
And finally, the Personality of the Year award, that is voted for by permanently accredited media from all major FIA championships, was posthumously awarded to three-time F1 world champion and Mercedes’ executive director Niki Lauda, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
