(Motorsports news) Verstappen’s third world championship was aided by the RB19, which secured a record 19 grand prix victories from 22 races. With two more wins from Sergio Perez, Red Bull won their sixth constructors’ championship. The Le Mans 24 Hours champion Ferrari 499P, the Jaguar I-Type 6 Formula E pacesetter, and the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, which swept the World Rally Championship, were voted second and third, respectively, by Autosport readers, who deemed the RB19 the greatest competitive car of 2023.
Although Toyota received the most votes for Rally Car of the Year in 2022, the Racing Car of the Year and Rally Car of the Year have now been combined for the updated award. The Autosport Awards were held on December 3rd at Grosvenor House on Park Lane when Red Bull’s win was declared. Formula E World Champion Jake Dennis gave the trophy to Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache after sampling the RB19 in Abu Dhabi.
“I do all the simulator work with these guys for the past five years and there’s just nothing like it,” stated Dennis. “When braking, you try to brace yourself, but you just can’t get ready. “My finest day to date was the one I spent in the automobile. Although the simulator hours aren’t the most enjoyable, everything is worthwhile.” This is the eighth time that Red Bull has received this kind of recognition; it was among the inaugural Autosport Awards in 1982.
The Porsche 956; McLaren MP4/4; Williams FW14B; Ferrari F2004; Brawn BGP 001; and Mercedes W11 are among the previous champions. The Pirelli-presented International Racing Driver of the Year, British Competition Driver of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Rally Driver of the Year, and National Driver of the Year are among the other categories that are determined by public voting.
The Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, the Autosport Williams Engineer of the Future Award, the Autosport Gold Medal with the Gregor Grant Award for lifetime legacy, the John Bolster Trophy for technical achievement, the Pioneering and Innovation Award, Moment of the Year, and Promoter of the Year are among the other honors that are determined by knowledgeable judging panels. The Brand Partnership of the Year award is a new one for 2023.
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