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Mark Webber joined newly crowned world champion Jenson Button, IRL star Dario Franchitti and other British and Commonwealth luminaries from the world of international motorsport as trophy winners at the annual BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club) Annual Awards in London yesterday.

Webber was the recipient of two awards; the Innes Ireland for the driver who best displayed the qualities of courage and sportsmanship epitomized by the late Innes Ireland, and the Bruce McLaren Trophy which is awarded annually to the Commonwealth driver who has established the most meritorious performances in international motorsport. The Red Bull Racing driver faced tough opposition for the latter award from the likes of fellow Australians David Brabham and Ryan Briscoe and New Zealander Scott Dixon.

Among the many guests in attendance was Gordon Brown who revealed a life-long passion for motorsport as he presented Jenson Button with the Richard Seaman Trophy. Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Stirling Moss also presented awards while there was a special and well-deserved round of applause for BRDC President Damon Hill who, earlier in the day, had announced that Silverstone would continue to host the British Grand Prix for a potential 17 years.

Webber received his trophies from legendary F1 commentator Murray Walker and Bruce McLaren's widow, Pat. However, he wasn't the afternoon's only Australian victor. David Brabham received the Fairfield Trophy for an outstanding performance by a BRDC member and young Daniel Ricciardo, fresh from completing an impressive three day test with Red Bull Racing last week in Jerez, picked up the John Cooper Trophy for winning the British Formula 3 Championship and the Henry Surtees Award for an outstanding performance by a BRDC Rising Star, a trophy awarded in memory of the British youngster who lost his life earlier this year.

Didnt know Commonwealth members were eligible for BRDC awards so thats cool. Congrats to all the winners

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And congrats to Ron for his autosport lifetime achievement award

Dennis: Car business good for McLaren


McLaren boss Ron Dennis has no doubts his company is doing the right thing in pursuing its road car ambitions - even though that decision proved a catalyst for Mercedes-Benz to switch its focus to Brawn.

Dennis is heading up McLaren's plans to build a range of sportscars over the next few years - with the MP4-12C due to be the first of the new range.

And although the expansion of the road car business has been singled out as a key reason why Mercedes-Benz chose to end its exclusive deal with McLaren and instead takeover Brawn, Dennis is adamant the move is to the ultimate benefit of his Woking-based company.

"It is really a development of the brand," said Dennis as he collected a lifetime achievement award at the AUTOSPORT Awards.

"We have had some great partners - and I have to mention Mercedes-Benz. They have been phenomenally strong partners of us, and there was a time when we had to think hard and long about what was the right thing for McLaren.

"When I look at the achievements of Ferrari and what we intend for McLaren, it is absolutely categorically the right thing for us to plough our own furrow. It is a win-win situation for everyone.

"I am delighted for Brawn and the Mercedes GP team of the future, and at the end of the day, we were extremely supportive of solving the problems with Brawn.

"It is the way we have always been in F1. We take decisions for the benefit of F1, most of the time, if not all the time. I have had ups and downs in my career and I accept that being the boss you have to take the responsibility sometimes for things that are not always in your own mind your responsibility. But nevertheless that is part of being a boss and that is what I have had to do."

Dennis has also dismissed any talk of him returning to a role within McLaren's F1 teams.

"No. No. No," he said when asked about the possibility of coming back to F1. "My role in active F1 is definitely over.

"I will go to some grands prix because I love it. My brain is in McLaren but my heart is in motor racing, so I will definitely be at some grands prix. But it will not be on the pit wall and not as anything other than a spectator.

"At the end of the day I live and breath for McLaren and that is never going to change."

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Noel Gallagher should have got the Lifetime Acheivemnt award

[Gaz]

Webber deserved his after Germany.

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Havent seen many wins after a drive through hey.

[deMuRe]

Havent seen many wins after a drive through hey.

It was a spectacular afternoon for Webber and all his fans, magical stuff!

The odds he's getting at the bookies at the moment he'd be good for a dark horse bet next year.

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Havent seen many wins after a drive through hey.

It was a spectacular afternoon for Webber and all his fans, magical stuff!

The odds he's getting at the bookies at the moment he'd be good for a dark horse bet next year.

He isnt entering his Tasmanian challenge this year so atleast he wont have to contend with broken bones and metal rods this season.