The Award, presented last night by The Right Honourable Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Innovation and Aston Martin Le Mans driver, at the MIA's annual Summer Reception at the House of Lords. Brawn joins Professor Sid Watkins, Lord March, Sir Frank Williams, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart, Tom Wheatcroft, David Richards and Bernie Ecclestone on the list of previous winners.

"His exceptional race engineering talent is coupled with integrity, sincerity and humility – a rare combination in this aggressive competitive sport," said Chris Aylett, the MIA's chief executive officer. "His personal contribution has benefited many in this global industry – employees, suppliers and drivers. His influence makes motorsport and F1 a better place to be.

"Ross is a great inspiration to young engineers who we need to help us improve our future. As patron of Formula Student for example he is putting something back into tomorrow's generation. F1 leaders can be great ambassadors for global motorsport - Ross is one of the new breed who will ensure its popularity will last well into the future."

The MIA is the world's leading trade association for the motorsport, performance engineering, services and tuning sectors, representing the specialised needs of this highly successful global industry.

Brawn turned to the MIA for assistance over the winter, following Honda's withdrawal from Formula One. In a letter of thanks to Aylett, Brawn GP's Nick Fry wrote "The assistance of the MIA was invaluable in coordinating the efforts of BERR; the regional development agencies; the Department of Innovation; local MP's and even our Ambassador in Tokyo. The time you spent personally in arranging and participating in these meetings made a material difference to the outcome and the specialist advice that the MIA were able to provide about 'who to talk to' and 'how to approach' each department and activity allowed us to progress faster and more effectively than would have been the case."