Verstappen now has something else in common with Hamilton as he wins prestigious Laureus award
Defending world Formula One champion Max Verstappen's trophy cabinet is becoming quite a collection. The Red Bull driver not only clinched his first world title in 2021 but he's also bagged his second win in just four races of the 2022 F1 season this year when he led a stellar 1-2 victory with his teammate Sergio Perez at the first of two Italian Grands Prix on Sunday.To add the cherry to his cake on Sunday, he was also announced as the 2022 Laureus World Sportsman of the year. This means he now has something else in common with fellow F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton (winner of three Laureus Awards) and the legendary Michael Schumacher. He could also now rub shoulders with Lionel Messi and Roger Federer.The Laureus World Sports Academy announced the winners at a digital ceremony hosted from Seville, Spain, on Sunday (24 April). Leading an illustrious group of sports stars honoured by the institution are Formula One world champion Max Verstappen and Jamaican Olympic sprint queen Elaine Thompson-Herah. They have been named Laureus World Sportsman and Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.
?? The 2022 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award winner is....@Max33Verstappen!#Laureus22 | @GullitR ?? pic.twitter.com/OqAwxfShKx
According to the Academy, the Awards recognise the most outstanding sporting achievements of 2021.Verstappen, who secured his first World Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2021, said: "I was very happy, of course, but it was a lot of hard work and years of preparation. I'm incredibly proud. "Since I was a little kid, I dreamt of being on the top step and winning the championship. I said to my dad [Former Formula One driver Jos Verstappen], 'We did it, this is what we worked for all these years,
