Max Verstappen ‘honored’ to be crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year 2022

Max Verstappen ‘honored’ to be crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year 2022

Max Verstappen

Good news keeps pouring in for Max Verstappen, as the Dutchman has been crowned as the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year 2022. This announcement comes just hours after his victory in Imola, as Red Bull secured a dominant 1-2 finish in Ferrari backyard. Max Verstappen now becomes only the fourth F1 driver to be handed the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award.

The Dutch driver was nominated alongside the likes of tennis star, Novak Djokovic, who claimed three Grandslam titles in 2021. Tom Brady, and Bayern Munich footballer, Robert Lewandowski were other nominees for this prestigious award. Verstappen was awarded the title, after a breathtaking performance in the 2021 season, which saw him claim his first ever F1 title.

Max Verstappen ended Lewis Hamilton’s streak of four consecutive F1 titles, and claimed as many as 10 race wins in a single calendar. The Dutchman won the title in a controversial manner in Abu Dhabi, but that should take nothing away from his achievements throughout the season.

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Max Verstappen express gratitude to his father after being crowned as the World Sportsman of the Year

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Max Verstappen shares a special bond with his father, Jos Verstappen, who is a former F1 driver. Jos has stuck with the Red Bull driver through thick and thin, and has always motivated him to become a better driver. Hence, there was no surprise when the Dutchman decided to thank his father for always sticking with him.

“Really honored to be crowned World Sportsman of the Year by @laureussport Off course I have to thank @redbullracing, as I couldn’t have managed this without their incredible support A special thank you goes out to my dad @MaVic009 I’ll never forget everything he did,” wrote Verstappen.

In the official speech for the award show, Max Verstappen expressed his gratitude to Red Bull for building a solid car, and giving the platform to perform on the big stage.

“A big thank you to everyone from the Laureus Academy for voting for me. It’s not only me, it’s the whole team behind me, working on two cars to perform, giving me the opportunity to win the championship & this Award,” said Verstappen.

Although, Red Bull came out second in the constructor’s championship, yet they pushed Mercedes right until the end in the 2021 F1 season. It was for the first time that any driver except a Mercedes driver won the individual F1 title.

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