Max Verstappen endures very awkward moment on stage at the FIA awards as Young Driver of the Year Kean Nakamura pays tribute to Lewis Hamilton and ‘all the top racers in F1’… but leaves out the Dutchman after controversial title victory
- Max Verstappen didn’t know where to look after an awkward moment on stage
- The Dutchman was present at the FIA awards after winning the championship
- Young Driver of the Year Kean Nakamura said he looked up to Lewis Hamilton
- He praised ‘all the top racers’ but did not acknowledge Verstappen
Newly crowed formula one champion Max Verstappen had to endure a very awkward moment at the FIA awards,
The Dutchman, who surged to a controversial victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix against his bitter rival Lewis Hamilton, was up on stage when the Young Driver of the Year award was given.
Youngster Kean Nakamura took the honour and gave a short speech, during which he outlined his admiration for Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, before making a nod to ‘all the top racers.’
Max Verstappen had to awkwardly stand on stage while young driver of the year Kean Nakamura praised Lewis Hamilton and ‘top racers’ but didn’t namecheck the Dutchman
Verstappen, fresh off the back of his championship title victory, didn’t know where to look
However, his failure to mention Verstappen or reference the recent title victory left the Dutchman looking rather vacant on stage, as cameras panned to him at the exact moment.
Verstappen, 24, cut a rather uncomfortable figure and cast his eyes to the floor.
‘I grew up watching Lewis drive, [and] Sebastian racing together,’ said Nakamura.
Verstappen admits he would not have pipped the Brit (left) if not for the safety car decision
‘I’ve always looked up to all the top racers in F1 really.’
Verstappen recently admitted he would not have overtaken his rival Hamilton on the final lap of the season-ending grand prix, were it not for the intervention of a safety car.
‘I’d seen Lewis have trouble warming up the hard tyres. I stayed close and with the soft tyres it was easier,’ he told Auto Motor und Sport.
‘I had massive cramp in my leg and was happy I was able to relieve it briefly in Turn 5. But then the straights came again.’
After the race, the Dutchman’s mother Sophie Kumpen admitted that Hamilton was the best driver on the day and Verstappen himself agrees he would not have caught the Brit without the safety car decision.
‘I wouldn’t have caught up with Lewis, even with new tyres it wasn’t easy,’ he said.
Lewis Hamilton (left) led for most of the race but the Dutchman passed him on the last lap