Hamilton secures Hawthorn trophy.

Lewis Hamilton has been awarded the prestigious Hawthorn Memorial Trophy at the Motor Sports Association's annual Night of Champions.

The McLaren Mercedes driver received the trophy from MSA chairman Alan Gow in front of 150 invited guests including former F1 champion Damon Hill and triple World Touring Car Championship title winner Andy Priaulx.

The Hawthorn Memorial Trophy - named after Britain's first F1 champion Mike Hawthorn - is awarded annually to the most successful British or Commonwealth driver in the F1 World Championship, with Hamilton becoming the first driver to take the honour in his debut season.

"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," Colin Hilton, chief executive of the Motor Sports Association said. "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 award include Sir Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Nigel Mansell and current F1 racers David Coulthard and Jenson Button.