Verstappen honoured at 2023 FIA Prize Giving Gala

Max Verstappen was formally crowned as the 2023 Formula 1 World Champion at the FIA Prize Giving Gala at Baku, Azerbaijan.

The showpiece end-of-season event recognises the achievements of drivers and teams across motorsport, with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem present alongside F1 President Stefano Domenicali.

The Dutchman was presented with the FIA Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship trophy, while Red Bull were also formally crowned 2023 Constructors' Champions.

"Throughout the year we were on a great role," said Verstappen after being handed the trophy by President Ben Sulayem.

"I think it did hit me a little bit more once I was standing on the podium in Abu Dhabi, you realise the season is over and you don't get to drive this car anymore.

"It's been incredible, it's been a lot of great fun as well to work with everyone. We all want to win and do the best we can, but when you're traveling around so much all over the world, you want to also do it with a great group of people.

"We have that at Red Bull and I'm extremely proud of what we have achieved this year."

Under the F1 regulations the top three in the Drivers' Championship are all required to attend the prize-giving, with Verstappen attending alongside second-placed man Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton who was third in the championship.

Hamilton skipped the event last time he was supposed to attend in 2021, after the controversial finish to that year's title fight.

He was later ordered to pay a fine of $50,000 which went to supporting a student from a disadvantaged background in achieving an educational qualification in motorsport.