1992 DARIO FRANCHITTI

OTHER FINALISTS Paul Evans, Ralph Firman, Jonny Kane, Martin O’connell, Brian Saunders He says: “It was my second turn so I’d been through the disappointment of not having my name called out at the Autosport Awards. I knew I had to lay it on the line – almost drive over the limit.

“Michael Andretti presented me with the Award and it was an incredible feeling, to turn around and face the room. I felt on top of the world. The money – I won £20,000 – came in incredibly handy and it all came into focus when Norbert Haug phoned Autosport to ask who Mercedes should be looking at. They said Oliver Gavin and myself. That really opened the door to my DTM drive.

“My F1 test was the day after the 1995 Autosport Awards, so there was no partying that night! I flew to Jerez and got a half-day. Everything about it was amazing. It was a huge opportunity and I think it helped me with going to America.” WHAT HAPPENED NEXT Moved to the US after a spell in the DTM, winning three Indianapolis 500s and four Indycar crowns