British Formula 1 sensation Lewis Hamilton was presented with the coveted Hawthorn Memorial Trophy on Friday evening at the Motor Sports Association's Night of Champions at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall.

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes star received the trophy from MSA Chairman Alan Gow and received a standing ovation from the 150 invited guests representing the best of British motor sport, including former F1 world champion Damon Hill, reigning and three-time world touring car champion Andy Priaulx and all the champions of British motor sport's domestic 2007 season.

The Hawthorn Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most successful British or Commonwealth driver in the FIA Formula One World Championship. It was first presented by the Hawthorn family in memory of Mike Hawthorn, who became Britain's first Formula One World Champion in 1958 but tragically died a year later. Hamilton is the 18th driver to win the Hawthorn trophy, but the first to do so in his maiden year of Formula 1 competition.

"Lewis' arrival on the F1 scene last season made a huge impact, capturing the public's imagination not only in this country but around the world," commented Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association. "His performances have given us a great platform on which to raise the profile and develop the sport in this country. We were delighted that he was able to join us at the Night of Champions in order to receive the award.

"The British motor sport scene is still the best in the world as illustrated by the fact that no fewer than nine of last year's F1 grid cut their teeth in our championships. The MSA is committed to securing increased British representation at the highest level of motor sport and as a result we are continuing to invest substantial funds into both the Race Elite programme and its sister operation in rallying. We hope that in the coming years, many of these young drivers will graduate to F1 and race at the highest level."

Previous winners of the Hawthorn Memorial Trophy

1959     Jack Brabham (AUS) *

1960     Jack Brabham (AUS) *

1961     Stirling Moss (GB)

1962     Graham Hill (GB) *

1963     Jim Clark (GB) *

1964     John Surtees (GB) *

1965     Jim Clark (GB) *

1966     Jack Brabham (AUS) *

1967     Denny Hulme (NZ) *

1968     Graham Hill (GB) *

1969     Jackie Stewart (GB) *

1970     Denny Hulme (NZ)

1971     Jackie Stewart (GB) *

1972     Jackie Stewart (GB)

1973     Jackie Stewart (GB) *

1974     Denny Hulme (NZ)

1975     James Hunt (GB)

1976     James Hunt (GB) *

1977     James Hunt (GB)

1978     John Watson (GB)

1979     Alan Jones (AUS)

1980     Alan Jones (AUS) *

1981     Alan Jones (AUS)

1982     John Watson (GB)

1983     John Watson (GB)

1984     Derek Warwick (GB)

1985     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1986     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1987     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1988     Derek Warwick (GB)

1989     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1990     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1991     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1992     Nigel Mansell (GB) *

1993     Damon Hill (GB)

1994     Damon Hill (GB)

1995     Damon Hill (GB)

1996     Damon Hill (GB) *

1997     Jacques Villeneuve (CAN) *

1998     David Coulthard (GB)

1999     Eddie Irvine (GB)

2000     David Coulthard (GB)

2001     David Coulthard (GB)

2002     David Coulthard (GB)

2003     David Coulthard (GB)

2004     Jenson Button (GB)

2005     Jenson Button (GB)

2006     Jenson Button (GB)

2007     Lewis Hamilton (GB)

             * = world champion