Rosberg, Hamilton scoop top Autosport Awards

Nico Rosberg, the 2016 World Champion, was at the Grosvenor House Hotel to accept his award from 1996 World Champion Damon Hill, the only other son of a World Champion to replicate his father’s success.

Rosberg, who announced his retirement from F1 two days ago, told the crowd: “First of all I need to say I came here for the first time 15 years ago. This is the most prestigious night of the year. When I walked down the stairs in front of everyone it was amazing - I definitely don't take this for granted.

"It wasn't an easy one and I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it, but here I am.”

Rosberg’s nine wins this season brought his final victory tally to 23, and he retires with 30 pole positions.

"It feels great to go out on top. It's been an unbelievable 11 years in F1 and it was definitely my best year," he said. "After Abu Dhabi the thought [of retiring] was still there and I said ‘if I do it, I'll stop.’ I didn't think I'd have the courage to do it, to be honest."

Three-time World Champion teammate Hamilton, who finished runner-up this year despite 10 wins, earned his fifth British Competition Driver Award, but was not present to receive it. Instead, his brother Nicholas went on stage to claim it from four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti.

Pascal Wehrlein earned Rookie of the Year in the awards voted for by the public, while Mercedes-Benz AMG received Racing Car of the Year for the W07, which won 19 of the 21 grands prix this year, was beaten to pole position only once, and earned Mercedes its third straight constructors’ championship with four races remaining.

Rosberg presented the award to Mercedes engineering director Aldo Costa and five of his senior engineering colleagues.

"It was such a dominant season really – even better than last year," said Costa. "The gap was not as big as two years ago, but we were much more consistent."

Paddy Lowe, executive director (technical) of the Mercedes team, received the John Bolster Award - named after Autosport's longtime technical editor – from Williams GP team icon, Patrick Head.