Verstappen and Mercedes nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards

Formula 1 drivers' world champion Max Verstappen has been nominated for his second-ever Laureus World Sports Award, while constructors' champions Mercedes have been nominated for their eighth-straight Laureus Team of the Year Award.

Verstappen was previously nominated for the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award in 2016 but lost out to golfer Jordan Spieth. This time around he is up for the Laureus World Sportsman award against the likes of football superstar Robert Lewandowski, NFL legend Tom Brady and tennis ace Novak Djokovic.

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Mercedes, who clinched a record eighth-consecutive constructors' title in 2021, won the Team of the Year Award in 2018. This year they face tough competition from the likes of UEFA Women’s Champions League winners Barcelona Femeni, NBA Champions Milwaukee Bucks and Euro 2020 winners Italy. The Silver Arrows have been nominated for this accolade every year since 2015.

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 Breakthrough of the Year Award, the 2021 Athlete Advocate award, and shared the 2020 Sportsman of the Year Award with footballer Lionel Messi. The likes of Jenson Button, Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Rosberg have also represented Formula 1 by picking up Laureus trophies.

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The Laureus World Sports Awards were first held in 2000, with this year's virtual event to take place in April.

Meanwhile, both Verstappen and Mercedes are preparing for the 2022 season. Mercedes have set the launch date of their new Formula 1 car – the W13 – on February 18, while Red Bull are yet to announce when the RB18 will be unveiled.