Max Verstappen now has something in common with the likes of Lionel Messi, Roger Federer and Michael Schumacher: a Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.
The Red Bull driver earned the prestigious honor after narrowly beating out seven-time world champ Lewis Hamilton to claim his first Formula 1 world championship during the 2021 season. Verstappen was announced as the recipient following a dominant victory in Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
“I was very happy, of course, but it was a lot of hard work and years of preparation. I’m incredibly proud,” Verstappen said in a statement after being announced as the winner of the award.