Join Today Login
Join Today Login

Happy and Glorious

Sunday 15 November 2020

This weekend was a landmark occasion for British motorsport, both domestically and on the world stage.

Hugh Chambers, CEO Motorsport UK, said:

“Lewis Hamilton’s achievement this weekend is simply extraordinary and resets the bar at a level that seemed impossible to reach. His seventh F1 world championship title, with more wins than any other F1 driver, demonstrates his talent and commitment that are unquestionably amongst the very best that we have ever witnessed.

Lewis’ success is a global showcase for the strength of British driving talent, and the Brackley based Mercedes team that is also breaking records, demonstrates how the UK continues to lead the world in engineering. And F1 is only the tip of the iceberg as the UK can be proud of further stand out performances so far this season. Mike Conway became the first British driver in six years to win the FIA World Endurance Championship, while Aston Martin Racing showcased the very best in British engineering as they produced the car to beat in the GT category. Closer to home we must congratulate Ash Sutton on his second British Touring Car Championship title and Luke Browning on his British F4 title success at Brands Hatch. All of these successes, and most of all Lewis’s, make this a very proud day for British motorsport”.

Here are the highlights…

Seventh Heaven for Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton delivered a superb drive from sixth on the grid to claim victory in a tough, wet Turkish Grand Prix and clinch his seventh Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship crown, matching Michael Schumacher’s tally of titles.

Hamilton overcame early woes involving a lack of grip in wet conditions to claw his way back into contention and after passing Racing Point’s Sergio Pérez on lap 36. His decision to pursue a one-stop race allowed him to take his tenth win of the season ahead of Pérez and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel who took third place on the final lap after team-mate Charles Leclerc went wide after trying to steal second from Pérez.

“I’m a bit lost for words. Naturally, I have to start with saying such a huge thank you to all the guys here and all the guys back at the factory, both our factories, and all our partners for enabling us and giving us this opportunity. I wouldn’t be able to do this if I didn’t join this team and the journey we have been on has been monumental. I’m so proud of them.

“We dreamed of this when were young, when I was young, when we were watching the grands prix and this is way, way beyond our dreams. It’s so important for kids out there to hopefully see this and know that… don’t listen to anybody that tells you you can’t achieve something. Dream the impossible and speak it into existence. You’ve got to work for it. You’ve got to chase it and you’ve got to never give up and never doubt yourself.”

Conway claims gold in Bahrain

Toyota Gazoo Racing’s No. 7 TS050 HYBRID driven by Mike Conway, Jose Maria Lopez and Kamui Kobayashi  sealed the 2020 LMP1 FIA World Endurance Drivers’ Championship title after beating the sister No. 8 car to the chequered flag in Bahrain.

The No. 7 crew finished runner-up in LMP1 for the past two seasons making today’s drivers’ title even sweeter and Mike Conway has become the first British drivers’ champion in LMP1 since Anthony Davidson back in 2014. Indeed, it is the No. 7 car’s best season to date in the WEC with a total of four victories.

 

 

 

Double top for Sutton

Laser Tools Racing’s Ash Sutton became a two-time British Touring Car Champion after clinching the title at Brands Hatch, as the curtain came down on a dramatic season of wheel-to-wheel racing.

The Infiniti Q50 driver came into the season finale weekend trailing defending champion Colin Turkington by nine points in the overall standings – the Team BMW star aiming for a record fifth title – but Sutton immediately turned things around at the Kent circuit to finish 14 points ahead.

 

 

 

Browning seals F4 title in last gasp race

Luke Browning claimed the 2020 F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost title despite victory for chief title rival Zak O’Sullivan in a dramatic, rain-shortened season finale at Brands Hatch.

Heavy rain hit the 1.19-mile Indy circuit at the half way point and, on the grounds of safety with the entire field on slick tyres, the race was immediately red-flagged. Due to the constraints of the timetable and available daylight, the result was then declared with half points awarded.

Crucially, that swung the pendulum in Browning’s favour, with O’Sullivan’s ninth victory of the season – secured by 0.859 seconds – netting him just 12 points, with Browning taking 0.5.

That meant Browning duly took the British F4 crown by a slender 4-point margin in the most dramatic of circumstances.