Formula 3 Euroseries Rookie Champion Edoardo Mortara has swept up a string on awards as the year draws to a close.

The 20 year-old French-Italian was awarded the “casco di bronzo tricolore” trophy at the prestigious “caschi d'oro” awards ceremony. The ceremony is hosted by respected Italian motorsport magazine Autosprint every year at the Bologna Motor Show.

Previous winners of the “caschi d'oro” awards – nicknamed 'the Oscars of motorsport' – have included some of the biggest names in motor racing, such as Alex Zanardi. This year's top prize-winner was Ferrari's Formula 1 World Champion, Kimi Raikkonen.

Mortara was also named driver of the year by a jury from one of the leading Italian motorsport websites, www.italiaracing.net, with the Signature team driver beating ten other promising young drivers to claim the accolade.

In a remarkable debut season in the Formula 3 Euroseries, Mortara clinched the prestigious rookie title with two wins and two podiums – in only his second season of racing cars. The French-Italian driver won the rookie category seven times in 20 races and holds the best qualifying record of all the F3 Euroseries rookie drivers.

“It's a big honour and a big surprise for me to be recognised with these awards, and I am extremely grateful to everyone who thought of me and voted for me,” he said. “I'd like to thank especially the Signature team, who did a fantastic job all year to put me in this position. My aim, of course, is to do even better in 2008!”

Mortara will continue to drive for Signature in the Euroseries next year, using the all-new Volkswagen Formula 3 engine.