Thierry Neuville has been named the Belgian Driver of the Year by the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium (RACB), with the World Rally Championship star edging McLaren-Honda Formula One ace Stoffel Vandoorne.

Neuville, who finished runner-up to four-time champion Sébastien Ogier in the 2016 WRC standings with one win and another six podium finishes, receives the award for the third time after earning the accolade in 2011 and 2013.

Vandoorne, who made his grand prix debut in replacement of an injured Fernando Alonso in Barhain, had picked up the trophy last year in the wake of his dominant GP2 Series title-winning campaign. The 24-year-old will replace Jenson Button and take part in his first full F1 campaign in 2017.

Racing legend Jacky Ickx remains the most decorated Belgian driver in the RACB’s end-of-season ceremony with 12 awards received between 1967 and 1982.

Earlier this week, Red Bull ace Max Verstappen was named Dutch Sportsman of the Year.

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Antonelli stays grounded amid growing Russell title fight talk

Kimi Antonelli may be leading the Formula 1 world championship, but the young Italian is…

4 hours ago

How Verstappen stunned GT3 teammate with ‘special’ trick

The Nürburgring’s Nordschleifel has claimed many a victim, but at a recent NLS round, Max…

5 hours ago

The passing of a legend on a dark morning at Hockenheim

It's been 58 years since the tragic death of Jim Clark on a damp and…

7 hours ago

Vowles hints at Williams breakthrough… after F1 summer break

Williams team principal James Vowles isn’t hiding the Grove-based outfit’s current struggles, but he insists…

8 hours ago

Brundle suggests F1’s new-era cars may be illegal by design

Sky F1’s Martin Brundle has raised a provocative question at the heart of Formula 1’s…

9 hours ago

Hülkenberg on why F1’s hidden struggle is both ‘fun and frustrating’

The modern Formula 1 battlefield isn’t just about bravery into Turn 1 anymore – it’s…

11 hours ago