Max wins Young Talent Award 2014

Published on 17 December 2014 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen has won the 'Talent of the Year' award at the yearly Dutch sports awards, organised by the NOC*NSF, the umbrella body for organised sports in the Netherlands. The youngster is the first racing driver to claim the honor after beating fellow nominees mountain bike rider Michiel van der Heijden and rower Ilse Paulis, both junior world champions.

The 17-year-old Red Bull Junior earned his nomination after an incredible debut year in motor sport, in which he finished third in the prestigious FIA Formula 3 European Championship and signed a contract with Formula 1 outfit Scuderia Toro Rosso. Closer to home, he won the prestigious Zandvoort Masters, 21 years after father Jos took the chequered flag on the legendary track in the dunes.

Max could not attend the ceremony in person as he is in Milton Keynes to do simulator work in preparation for the 2015 season. Therefore, Huub Dubbelman, chairman of the Dutch motorsport federation, accepted the award on Verstappen’s behalf. Despite being unable to attend, Max was delighted with his win.

“It’s great to receive the NOC*NSF Young Talent Award 2014 for my strong season in the European Formula 3 championship and my Zandvoort Masters victory. The special thing about this award is, apart from a panel of judges, professional athletes had the opportunity to choose the winner. That makes this award all the more special. I hope that I can do this award justice next year, in my first year in F1 together with Scuderia Toro Rosso. Im going to give it my all!”

After simulator work on Wednesday, Max’ calendar is fairly empty for the following week, giving him the opportunity to spend the upcoming festive period at home. “It will be nice to spend some time at home again”, concludes Max.