Max hands out trophy at Autosport Awards

Published on 08 December 2014 by Stefan Meens

After a busy fortnight that took him from Abu Dhabi to Imola and from Milton Keynes to Qatar, Max Verstappen arrived in London for the Autosport Awards. This time, the Red Bull Junior did not receive an award, but he presented one at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Together with Scuderia Toro Rosso team mate Carlos Sainz, Max was called on stage to present the trophies in the rally categories. On the podium both STR drivers were asked a couple of questions with Sainz replying he is “very relieved” after securing a seat next to Max on the 2015 grid, followed by a friendly pad on the Dutchman’s back. 

Max was then asked how he felt about his first handful of Formula 1 outings. As usual, he gave a down-to-earth answer of “nothing special really”, prompting jovial laughter from the audience. The 17-year-old was nominated in the category Rookie of the Year, but Red Bull F1’s team boss presented the award to Daniil Kvyat, the young Russian who takes over the Red Bull Racing cockpit of former Formula 1 world champions Sebastian Vettel.

Other significant winners at the awards were:

International Racing Driver of the Year – Lewis Hamilton
Racing Car of the Year – Mercedes W05
International Rally Driver of the Year – Sebastien Ogier
Rally Car of the Year – Volkswagen Polo R WRC
British Competition Driver of the Year – Lewis Hamilton
National Driver of the Year – Colin Turkington
British Club Driver of the Year – Ben Barnicoat
Rookie of the Year – Daniil Kvyat

One of the most important prizes went to George Russel, who won the Autosport BRDC Award, £100.000 and a Formula 1 test with McLaren.

After a tasty desert course and all awards presented, Max looks ahead to another busy week. On Monday, the Dutchman will be back home before spending the rest of the week in the Red Bull Diagnostics & Training Center in Salzburg, training hard to prepare for the 2015 season.