Max Verstappen and Red Bull are in the running for some early 2023 silverware after receiving nominations for the upcoming Laureus World Sports Awards – reflecting their F1 championship double last year.
After an initial challenge from Ferrari, Verstappen and Red Bull ultimately stormed to both world titles under F1’s 2022 rules reset, with the Dutchman taking 15 wins from 22 races and the team racking up 17 in total.
In recognition of their efforts, Verstappen has been nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year crown, and Red Bull for the Laureus World Team of the Year accolade.
The Laureus World Sports Awards were first held back in 2000 and are regarded as one of the most prestigious prize-giving ceremonies across the sporting world.
Verstappen is up against footballers Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, 2022 World Cup winner and runner-up respectively, serial tennis Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal, world record-setting pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis and NBA-winning basketball player Stephen Curry.
Red Bull, meanwhile, face competition from the World Cup-winning Argentina men’s football team, the EURO-winning England women’s football team, the Six Nations-winning France men’s rugby team, Champions League and La Liga-winning Real Madrid football team and NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors.
Verstappen will be looking to do the Laureus double after picking up the World Sportsman award in 2022, with previous F1 winners including Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher. Previous F1 winners of the World Team award are Mercedes, Brawn GP and Renault.
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