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The prize giving saw Verstappen, F1 runner-up Charles Leclerc, third-place driver Sergio Perez and Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, collecting the F1 constructors’ championship, pick up the biggest prizes of the night.
During a week of World Motor Sport Council and FIA General Assembly meetings, the prize giving culminated in Verstappen being presented the world championship trophy by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Ahead of collecting the trophy, Verstappen said in the FIA Champions’ press conference there were “very different” emotions for his second title compared to the first one last year.
“Your whole life, you aim for one particular goal and that is to become a world champion, for me, in Formula 1,” said Verstappen.
“The first win is always very emotional, once you achieve it. But this year has been very different.
“I do think we were more competitive this year, and I think the way we were performing as the whole team, we won the drivers’ and the constructors’.
“We had a lot of victories as a team. I would say this one is better and more rewarding. But the first one will always be more emotional. …