Max Verstappen was honored on Sunday with the ‘Oscar of sport’. He is the first Dutch sportsman to win the Laureus Award, a prestigious prize.
The Dutchman was named Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Awards ceremony in Seville.
Laureus Awards
The 24-year-old Verstappen received the award for his world title in Formula 1. He crowned himself champion last year by winning the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi by overtaking seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton on the very last lap.
Verstappen had competition in his category from American swimmer Caeleb Dressel, Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, Polish football player Robert Lewandowski and American football legend Tom Brady. Last year the prize went to the Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal.
Rivals
Verstappen is the fourth Formula 1 driver to receive the Oscar for best sportsman. His current rival Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel preceded him. “I would like to thank everyone from the Laureus Academy who voted for me, but it’s not just about me. I have a whole team behind me working hard to make two cars perform and give me the chance to win the championship,” said Verstappen in a previously recorded comment.
icing on the cake
It is the icing on the cake of a successful weekend for the Limburger. On Sunday he convincingly won the GP of Emilia-Romagna, the day after he also won the sprint race at the Imola circuit.
Also read: Verstappen enjoys ‘well-deserved victory’ in Imola