Champions celebrated at star-studded FIA Awards

The stars of the show gathered at the BK Arena in the country’s capital, Kigali, to pick up their prizes during the course of a spectacular ceremony – the first to take place on the African continent. The winners’ trophies were designed by renowned American painter, sculptor and printmaker Frank Stella, and were presented by endurance racing legend, six-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Jacky Ickx.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe Vice-Chairman, Kazuki Nakajima, accepted the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers’ Championship accolade on behalf of the Japanese marque – its sixth consecutive success in the discipline’s top-flight – while Porsche Penske Motorsport trio André Lotterer, Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor stepped up to the stage to collect their Drivers’ trophies.

“Endurance racing is such a great sport, because it really represents the team effort and the camaraderie between the drivers,” commented Lotterer, who arrived at the ceremony from a trip to see Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas in company with Estre. “And we had an amazing team behind us, otherwise we wouldn’t be here.”

“For me, the biggest highlight [of 2024] was winning our first race for the Porsche Penske Motorsport programme in the World Endurance Championship in Qatar,” added the Frenchman. “That was something special.”

While Lotterer had already been crowned world champion once before – with Audi in the inaugural FIA WEC campaign back in 2012 – for Estre and Vanthoor, the result represented a maiden title in the series. The Belgian was quick to acknowledge the magnitude of the achievement.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” Vanthoor enthused. “Kévin and I have driven together for quite a few years, and then more recently also with André. It was always my goal to drive these cars and I always dreamed of doing this with Porsche and Penske, and now we are standing here as world champions after probably one of the most competitive years in endurance racing. It’s difficult to top that!”

There was a special recognition for another Porsche driver, as Proton Competition privateer Julian Andlauer – who has earned promotion to the works team for next season – saw off TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s Kamui Kobayashi and AF Corse’s Robert Shwartzman to win the ‘Action of the Year’ award for his audacious overtake on Alpine Endurance Team rival Paul-Loup Chatin at Eau Rouge during the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The Frenchman prevailed with an impressive 65 per cent of the fan vote.

Andlauer was unable to attend the ceremony, but one driver who did make the trip had the opportunity to look back upon an unquestionable career highlight, as Ferrari AF Corse’s Antonio Fuoco reflected on his victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Nicklas Nielsen and Miguel Molina in June.

“It was an incredible emotion,” the Italian recollected. “It was a really nice weekend with Nicklas and Miguel. We pushed very hard for it. We lost last year, but this year, we achieved the result and that makes us really proud. Thanks to all the team for an amazing season. Now, we’re ready for 2025!”