At the Laureus World Sports Awards, Max Verstappen was named Sportsman of the Year, and the McLaren team was nominated for Team of the Year.
Verstappen was already crowned in 2022, winning the prestigious award as a two-time F1 world champion. But this year, the Red Bull driver faces some serious competition, with tennis player Carlos Alcaraz and double Olympic pole vaulter Armand Duplantis also among the nominees.
It's not Laureus' only F1 connection, as last year's run by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri meant McLaren managed to win the F1 constructors' title for the first time since 1998. That success also brought a nomination, but here too the competition is not to be underestimated, with the Spanish national football team, Real Madrid players, the NBA's Boston Celtics and the Team USA men's national basketball team all vying for the title.
McLaren will have a much tougher task to win, considering that the last Formula 1 team to receive this recognition was in 2018, after four consecutive constructors' titles. I think I don't need to introduce them to you. On April 21, 2025, we will find out whether Norris' team will be able to follow in Mercedes' footsteps.
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