Max voted Sports Personality of the Year by NSP
Published on 11 January 2016 by Stefan Meens
Max Verstappen was voted Sports Personality of the year 2015 by the Dutch Sports Press Association (NSP). The Dutch Formula 1 driver followed in the footsteps of footballer Arjen Robben, who won the accolade last year.
Max:”It's an honour to win this award after Arjan Robben did. Recognition off-track is just as important, so I can really appreciate an award like this, especially if voted for by the Dutch sports media.”
Besides Max, athletics champion Dafne Schippers and cyclist Tom Dumoulin were also nominated for Personality of the year, but in the end the Scuderia Toro Rosso driver collected the award. Former Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende read out the jury report with the following highlights:
“The winner of the Personality of the Year award joined the motorsport elite in 2015. It became clear very quickly that this 17-year-old man was something special.
The way he quickly adapts to speaking in different languages, his relaxed and authentic attitude in front of camera, his willingness to address the media straight after the race to talk us through his overtakes, these are all character trades of a young super star who knows sport isn’t just about performance but also about presentation.
Max Verstappen presented himself in an incredible way across a variety of stages and continents. At his first Grand Prix, which made him the youngest ever Formula 1 driver, the press wanted to know all about him at this baptism of fire.
Throughout the season he remained true to himself, regardless of success or setbacks. What about his infamous 'NO' during the Singapore Grand Prix? After the race he explained to the media in all honesty why he disobeyed the team orders to let team mate Carlos Sainz past.
Or after his crash in Monaco, that followed after several sublime overtakes, he didn’t shy away from his responsibility to address the media, and thus and audience of billions. It proves he is a true sports personality, approachable in the good and bad times.
Max Verstappen's star has risen quickly in 2015 and he addressed the press across all media and all continents on an almost daily basis in a professional and respectful manner in way that everyone in Maasbracht, Melbourne and Monteviedo can understand.”
Arjen Robben was the first athlete to be crowned personality of the year. The Dutch football star congratulated his successor:
