At the Laureus World Sports Awards, Max Verstappen was named Sportsman of the Year, while the McLaren team received a nomination for Team of the Year.
Verstappen was already crowned in 2022, winning this prestigious award as a two-time F1 world champion. However, this year, the Red Bull driver faces some serious competition, with tennis player Carlos Alcaraz and two-time Olympic pole vaulter Armand Duplantis also among the nominees.
This isn't the only F1 connection for the Laureus, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's performance last year meant McLaren managed to win the Constructors' World Championship for the first time since 1998. This success also earned a nomination, but the competition is no small force, as the Spanish national football team, Real Madrid players, the Boston Celtics NBA team, and the United States men's basketball team are also battling for the title.
It will be much harder for McLaren to achieve victory, as the last time a Formula 1 team received this recognition was in 2018, after winning four consecutive Constructors' Championships. I don't think you need to introduce them. On April 21, 2025, we will find out if Norris and his team can follow in Mercedes' footsteps.
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