The hand-crafted sterling silver trophy was handed to Paul Ricard President and CEO Philippe Gurdjian by FIA Institute President Prof. Sid Watkins. The trophy’s unique shape, inspired by the FIA Institute Centre of Excellence ‘Vortex’ logo, reflects the values and technical distinction required by the FIA Institute from recipients of this award.

Gurdjian said: “I am very proud to receive this award as is it demonstrates that Paul Ricard has been a pioneer in its development of motor sport safety. I look forward to a long working relationship with the FIA Institute as together we continue to develop and improve this important area of motor racing.”

Professor Watkins added: “Paul Ricard has proved itself to be one of the safest tracks in the world and its medical facilities are second to none.”

The Centre of Excellence programme forms the cornerstone of the FIA Institute’s aim to encourage and incentivise excellence in all aspects of motor sport safety. The award recognises and rewards excellence at circuits around the world.

Paul Ricard HTTT, in Le Castellet, southern France, was chosen to be the first recipient of the award because of its high safety standards and its continual developments in this field.

It boasts a number of unique safety features. For instance, the circuit has 25 acres of run-off areas, made from a special type of asphalt rather than the gravel beds used at other circuits. This type of run-off system increases safety, reduces the intervention time of the rescue teams and reduces damage to the cars.

Paul Ricard is the first of a number of Centres of Excellence that will be selected around the world. Each Centre of Excellence will exemplify the high standards expected by the FIA Institute in terms of medical, marshal and race control safety. They will also display a commitment to innovation and the development of new safety technology.

In return, each will be utilised to host events under the auspices of the FIA Institute. Paul Ricard HTTT, for instance, is to host the first FIA Institute Centre of Excellence Summit in January 2007, the theme of which will be Risk Management in Sport.