13/12/2008
NEWS STORY
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The FIA brought the 2008 season to an end with its annual gala in Monaco last night. Among those receiving their trophies were Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 Formula One World Champion, and Ferrari, which won the 2008 Constructors' Championship.
Receiving his award, Lewis Hamilton said: "This year has been a very special one in my life - the fulfilment of a dream I've had since childhood and an ambition that has taken my family and me on an amazing journey.
"The fact that I won the Drivers' World Championship on the very last lap of the very last race is something that makes me so proud of our efforts in 2008; we pushed to the limit on every single lap, from Melbourne to Brazil - and it's that determination and spirit that ultimately won us the world title.
"It's always very rewarding to receive recognition for all the work you put into the season, and the FIA Prize Giving Gala in Monte-Carlo is of course the fitting venue at which to celebrate all our efforts before we push ahead into 2009."
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For Ferrari, Stefano Domenicali said: "I am honoured to be here, at the end of my first year in charge of the team, to collect the Constructors' Trophy that goes to the World Championship-winning team. This is the 16th time in Scuderia Ferrari's history and the eighth in the last ten years that we have won this award and it comes courtesy of all the hard work, passion and determination put in by everyone at Maranello.
"My thoughts and thanks go to each and every one of them, for what they were able to achieve, to our drivers and also to Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo, who along with Jean Todt, chose me to fill this role. He has always given his support, especially during the most difficult moments."
Alongside the FIA champions, two trophies were presented for best promoter and best race broadcaster.
The Race Promoters' Trophy is awarded to the promoter who has proved most helpful, in the most difficult conditions. This year's recipient is the Singapore Grand Prix for its magnificent effort in organising Formula One's first ever night race.
Singapore GP's Ong Beng Seng, who collected the award, said: "On behalf of everyone on the Singapore GP team, thank you to Formula One Management for honouring us with this very prestigious award. Staging the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix represents the hard work and industry of quite literally a cast of thousands. This award honours every single one of them.
"The event would not be possible without all our partners both in the public and private sectors. In particular I would like to thank the Singapore Government, the Tourism Board and the Ministry of Trade and Industry whose support was amazing."
The night race concept also proved a hit with television viewers across the world. Formula One Management (FOM) took the Television Trophy for its outstanding coverage of the Singapore night race, with the award presented to Executive Producer Jonathan Nicholas.