Hartley, Bamber the big winners

Bernhard also won the FIA World Endurance Cup.

Bamber, who represented the New Zealand team in the A1 Grand Prix series in 2009, has enjoyed extensive success in Asia. He has twice won the Porsche Carrera Cup and also the Formula BMW Asia title.

In 2018, Bamber will form his own team under the Earl Bamber Motorsport banner.

It will enter three cars in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia with Bamber and his younger brother, Will, behind the wheel of two of the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.

Hartley, 27, who has qualified in 16th place for this morning’smonaco Grand Prix , was also recognised on the night with the Jim Clark trophy.

The trophy is awarded annually to the New Zealand driver competing at a national or higher level who shows a sportsmanlike attitude to the sport and fellow competitors and natural ability in putting up the most meritorious racing performance during the season.

Hartley, one of just nine Kiwis who has raced in Formula One, made his debut in the pinnacle of world motorsport last season with four drives for the Toro Rosso team.

Hartley, originally from Palmerston North, was rewarded with a full-time drive this year.

Long-time rally competitor and engineer Andrew Hawkeswood, rising single-seater racer Liam Lawson, and passionate classic car racer Mike Small were the other major winners on Saturday night.