Jolyon Palmer was announced as the winner of the prestigious Guild of Motoring Writers Driver of the Year Award at a prize gala in London last night (Thursday 4 December), following in the footsteps of F1 World Champions.

The Guild of Motoring Writers, inaugurated 70 years ago, is the largest international organisation in the world for motoring journalists with over 400 members from print and broadcast media. Each year the Guild awards a trophy to the leading driver as chosen by a panel of leading motor sport journalists. Previous winners have included Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Stirling Moss, Graham and Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Jolyon's father Jonathan. Since 2009 the award has been given to the leading young British racing driver of the year.

Jolyon received his award at a prestigious event at the RAC Club attended by guests including HRH Prince Michael of Kent, motor racing legend John Surtees, BRDC President Derek Warwick and Guild of Motoring Writers President Nick Mason. He was presented with the award by Warwick and Guild Chairman Guy Loveridge.

The award recognised a season in which Jolyon secured a commanding title victory in the GP2 Championship, the first Briton to win the title since Lewis Hamilton in 2006, with four wins, 12 podium finishes, and the highest points score in the series' history.

Since becoming GP2 Champion, Jolyon was an outstanding fourth quickest on his debut F1 test with Sahara Force India at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi last week. He has also been selected to participate in the Race of Champions event in Barbados next weekend (13-14 December), competing against established stars such as Tom Kristensen, David Coulthard, Ryan Hunter-Ray and Mick Doohan.

A delighted Jolyon said: "It was an honour to pick up the Guild of Motoring Writers Driver of the Year Award. It's amazing looking at it and seeing so many incredible drivers who have won the award in the past, many F1 champions dating back to the 1950s. It was also amazing to see my father's name on it in 1981, I'm sure he had the same satisfaction as me picking it up 33 years ago!"

You can follow Jolyon's progress in next weekend's Race Of Champions at www.jolyonpalmer.com

Photo credit: Jeff Bloxham/Guild of Motoring Writers