At the Laureus World Sports Awardson, Max Verstappen was named Sportsman of the Year, while the McLaren team received a nomination in the Team of the Year category.
Verstappen was already crowned in 2022, winning this prestigious award as a two-time F1 world champion. However, this year the Red Bull driver will face serious competition, just think of tennis player Carlos Alcaraz or double Olympic champion Armand Duplantis, the pole vaulter, who are also among the candidates.
This is not Laureus’ only connection to F1, as the run of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri last year meant McLaren secured the F1 constructors’ title for the first time since 1998. That success also led to a nomination, but the competition is no less impressive, as Spain’s football team, Real Madrid players, the NBA’s Boston Celtics and the US men’s basketball team are all gunning for the title.
It will be much harder for McLaren to win, as the last time a Formula 1 team received this accolade was in 2018, after winning four consecutive constructors' titles. I don't think you need an introduction. On April 21, 2025, we will find out if Norris and company can follow in Mercedes' footsteps.
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