Max Verstappen is no stranger to being nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards but he faces serious competition to land another honour.
For the fourth consecutive year, mirroring his run of four successive F1 drivers' titles, Verstappen has been nominated for the World Sportsman of the Year honour. He won it in 2022.
Red Bull driver Verstappen had to dig deep to win his latest drivers' championship following a stunning start in which he triumphed in four of the first five grands prix and seven of the opening 10.
Beyond that, it became a struggle for the Dutch driver as his car failed to match its earlier form, allowing McLaren's Lando Norris to mount a challenge.
Ultimately, Verstappen secured the crown with two grands prix to spare, ensuring his place in Laureus' nominations.
Verstappen, though, goes up against tennis great Carlos Alcaraz, who won the French and Wimbledon titles last year; swimmer Léon Marchand, who won four gold medals in the Paris Olympics; cyclist Tadej Pogacar who won the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and the road race in the UCI World Championships, and pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, who won a second world indoor title, third European title, second Olympic title, and broke his world record on three occasions.
McLaren a good bet for team award
After winning the F1 constructors' championship for the first time in 26 years, McLaren finds itself in the running for the Laureus World Team of the Year award.
Although Norris missed out on the drivers' championship, he played his part in McLaren capturing the team title alongside Oscar Piastri, beating Ferrari by 14 points, and with Red Bull third.
In the Laureus stakes, McLaren goes up against America's National Basketball Association champions, Boston Celtics; Barcelona women's football team; Real Madrid men's football team; Spain men's football team, and the United States basketball team.
McLaren will be looking to emulate Mercedes' Laureus triumph. It was the last F1 team to win the award in 2018.
The winners of the Laureus Awards will be announced in Madrid on April 21.
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