Champions and Legends Honoured in Historic Kigali Ceremony
By Mwambazi Lawrence
In a historic first, the FIA Awards took place on the African continent in Kigali, Rwanda, on the night of December 13th, celebrating the 2024 motorsport champions and legends. The spectacular event, held at the BK Arena in the heart of Rwanda’s capital, was graced by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda. The event was hosted by the Rwandan Automobile Club and supported by prestigious partners including Rolex, Hankook, AlphaTauri, and RwandAir.
FIA President Ben Sulayem addressed the distinguished audience, stating: “Here in Kigali, we have shone a light on members of our motorsport family whose commitment, spirit, and endeavour are at the heart of our sport, and we look to the champions of the future, those just beginning their careers and enjoying their first taste of success. Congratulations to all our deserving winners, it is an honour to celebrate with you.”
The FIA Awards marked the culmination of a thrilling 2024 season, one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory, where action and close competition defined the year’s motorsport calendar. As always, the awards celebrated the champions of the FIA’s World Championships, while several exciting new features were introduced.
A standout feature of the 2024 FIA Awards was the introduction of the Action of the Year awards for each World Championship, selected through a fan vote on the FIA’s social media platforms. These awards recognised some of the most thrilling moments from each discipline, giving fans a chance to be part of the celebration.
However, the evening’s most emotional moment came with the presentation of the FIA Lifetime Achievement Award to rally legend Michèle Mouton. A pioneer in motorsport and a staunch advocate for women in motorsport, Mouton’s groundbreaking career and contributions to the sport earned her a standing ovation from the crowd as she received her award from FIA President Ben Sulayem.
The FIA Formula One World Championship took centre stage as Max Verstappen was crowned World Drivers’ Champion for the fourth consecutive year. Verstappen was joined by McLaren’s Lando Norris, who received the runner-up trophy after a thrilling season that saw him challenge Verstappen for much of the year. Charles Leclerc completed the top three, returning to the FIA Awards for the second time in his career.
In the Constructors’ Championship, it was McLaren’s Zak Brown and Andrea Stella who claimed the trophy after an intense season-long battle, with the final race in Abu Dhabi deciding the title.
The evening also celebrated the success of Toyota, which triumphed across multiple FIA World Championships. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing secured titles in the FIA World Rally, Rally-Raid, and Endurance Championships, showcasing their versatility and dominance across diverse motorsport categories.
In the FIA World Rally Championship, Thierry Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe secured their first-ever WRC title, after finishing as runners-up five times in previous seasons. Meanwhile, in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), Nasser Al-Attiyah claimed his third consecutive title, alongside his co-driver Edouard Boulanger.
In the FIA World Rallycross Championship, Johan Kristoffersson continued his dominance, securing his seventh award in the series after an exciting season that saw the unique ‘Battle of Technologies,’ pitting sustainably-fueled internal combustion engine cars against fully electric vehicles.
The FIA World Endurance Championship also delivered some memorable moments, with Porsche taking home the Champions’ trophies in the Hypercar category. André Lotterer, Kévin Estre, and Laurens Vanthoor received their awards in recognition of a successful season, with Estre and Vanthoor celebrating their first Hypercar titles.
In the electric FIA Formula E Championship, Pascal Wehrlein triumphed in a fiercely competitive season that saw the title decided in another dramatic finale.
The FIA Awards also spotlighted rising stars in the sport, with the FIA Karting World Champions taking to the stage. Kenzo Craigie, Ethan Jeff-Hall, and Giuseppe Palomba received their trophies in the Junior, OK, and KZ classes, respectively.
The coveted FIA Rookie of the Year award went to Brazilian talent Gabriel Bortoleto, who impressed in his first season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, finishing the year as the champion, with Isack Hadjar and Paul Aron completing the top three.
Meanwhile, Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 impresario, received the FIA President’s Innovation Medal for his lifetime of contributions to the sport. Ecclestone’s role in transforming Formula 1 into the global spectacle it is today was recognised with this special award.
The 2024 FIA Awards in Kigali were more than just a celebration of champions; they were a historic moment for African motorsport, bringing global attention to Rwanda and the growing motorsport scene on the continent. The event highlighted the contributions of African nations to the world of motorsport and underscored the FIA’s commitment to promoting the sport globally, from grassroots to elite levels.
The 2024 FIA Awards will be remembered as a night of celebration, honouring the past, present, and future of motorsport. With champions recognised across a range of categories, it was a reminder of the passion, skill, and dedication that fuels motorsport and inspires fans around the world.
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