Verstappen lost out to Haaland at the prestigious BBC Sports awards
The world champion could not end his 2023 reign with another trophy. Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen beat Erling Haaland to win the BBC Sports Star of the Year award.
Verstappen set a number of records as he entered his third World Championship in 2023, winning 19 out of 22 Grands Prix and four out of six sprints. This includes the most points scored (575), the highest percentage of wins (86.4%) and becoming the first driver to lead more than 1,000 laps in a season, 290 marks ahead of Sergio Perez, another record.
The Dutchman has been named International Sports Star of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality Awards for the second time in 2022, behind Lionel Messi, after winning the title with Argentina. However, Manchester City striker Haaland scored 52 points in all competitions in his first season in English football, helping the team to three.
Haaland also won the FA Cup and Champions League, breaking the record for most goals in a Premier League season with 36 goals in 35 games. Among the candidates are the women’s team and Baloon Dand champion Aitana BonmatI, actress Simone Biles, tennis genius Novak Djokovic and there the captain of the South African football cup, Siya Kolisi (Siya Kolisi).
The Red Bull driver can become only the third F1 champion to win this award, joining Niki Lauda in 1977 and Sebastian Vettel in 2013.
