The motorsport stars gathered in Paris for the annual FIA Prize-Giving Ceremony 2015, a glamorous evening hosted at the legendary Lido Theatre on the Champs-Élysées. With the Arc de Triomphe nearby as a symbolic backdrop, the event honoured the champions and standout performers of the international racing season.
Despite the evening carrying a respectful tone following the tragic events in Paris just weeks earlier, the ceremony celebrated the spirit of competition and the remarkable achievements of motorsport stars, teams, and manufacturers across the FIA’s global championships.
Lewis Hamilton Secures His Place in History
At the centre of the spotlight was Lewis Hamilton, crowned 2015 FIA Formula One World Champion for the third time. His remarkable season with Mercedes-AMG Petronas saw him equal legends such as Sir Jackie Stewart and Ayrton Senna. Hamilton climbed to third on the all-time victory and pole position lists, while also matching the record for most podium finishes in a single year.
Reflecting on his achievement, Hamilton admitted the emotions were overwhelming:
“It’s pretty much impossible to put into words what it means to be a three-time world champion. It’s a dream, an incredible feeling, and I’m so proud of my family for everything they did to get me here today.”
Sébastien Ogier’s WRC Hat-Trick
Another dominant force of 2015 was Sébastien Ogier, alongside co-driver Julien Ingrassia, who secured their third consecutive FIA World Rally Championship crown with Volkswagen Motorsport. Ogier’s success placed him firmly among the WRC greats, trailing only the legendary Sébastien Loeb in all-time wins.
Endurance Racing Heroes
The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) produced new world champions, true motorsport stars: Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley, and Timo Bernhard. Driving for Porsche, the trio delivered a powerful campaign, bouncing back after a second-place finish at Le Mans to secure four consecutive victories and the season title in Bahrain.
Titles Defended and New Records Set
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José Maria López dominated the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) with ten wins, securing back-to-back titles for Citroën.
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Petter Solberg defended his World Rallycross Championship crown with a gritty late-season push, sealing the title in Argentina.
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In a historic first, Nelson Piquet Jr. became the inaugural FIA Formula E World Champion, narrowly beating Sébastien Buemi in London.
Emerging Talents and Global Champions
The evening also recognised rising stars and grassroots competitors:
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Felix Rosenqvist claimed both the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and the Macau Grand Prix title.
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Young American Logan Sargeant, just 14 years old, earned thunderous applause as he collected his KF Junior Karting World Championship trophy, reflecting on the years of dedication behind his success.
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French rally prospect Quentin Gilbert took home the WRC3 and Junior WRC trophies, while Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah claimed both the Cross Country Rallies World Cup and the WRC2 title.
Special Awards and Recognitions
Beyond the driver and team honours, the FIA celebrated excellence across the sport:
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Canal Latin America won the F1 Television Trophy.
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The Mexican Grand Prix organisers received the Best Promoter Award, recognising the spectacular return of the event.
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Germany’s ASN, DMSB, earned the Bernie Ecclestone Award for its drivers’ collective points haul in Formula 1.
Other notable winners included champions from the FIA Masters Historic categories, the Venturi land speed record team, and Adrian Fawdington, who was named the FIA’s Outstanding Official of the Year.
Conclusion
The 2015 FIA Prize-Giving Ceremony was more than just a celebration of trophies; it highlighted the diverse spirit of motorsport — from Formula 1 to rallying, endurance racing to karting, and even new electric championships like Formula E. The evening in Paris underscored how the FIA continues to bring together past legends, present champions, and future stars under one global stage.
