Verstappen and Red Bull collect their F1 drivers’ and constructors’ trophies at 2023 FIA Prize Giving

Max Verstappen and Red Bull have been formally crowned as this year’s world champions at the FIA Prize Giving ceremony after securing back-to-back drivers’ and constructors’ championships with an utterly dominant 2023 display.

Verstappen sensationally racked up 19 out of a possible 22 victories to make it three titles on the bounce, while Red Bull won all bar one race with an RB19 package that will be remembered as one of F1’s most dominant cars.

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After an early challenge from Sergio Perez, Verstappen hit form – including a run of 10 successive wins – to eventually finish 290 points clear of his team mate, while Red Bull wound up 451 ahead of nearest rivals Mercedes.

Verstappen and Perez were both on hand at Friday evening’s ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan to collect their winner and runner-up trophies, with Red Bull team boss Christian Horner also in attendance on behalf of the Milton Keynes operation.

Reflecting on his latest title win, Verstappen said: “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, you don’t get to drive this car anymore, unfortunately.

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“It’s been incredible. It’s been great fun as well to work with everyone. We all want to win, we want to do the best we can, but when you’re travelling around so much all over the world you want to also do it with a great group of people, and we definitely have that at Red Bull.”

With the famous trophy in his hands for another year, the Dutchman signed off: “I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved, but I hope also that it doesn’t stop here!”

Horner added: “It’s been the most amazing season for the team, breaking so many records, winning 21 out of 22 races and five out of six Sprint races... It’s something very, very special.

“It’s something that every man and woman within the team has contributed to behind the scenes to achieve this level of excellency. I think this award tonight is very much on behalf of all those men and women that we have within Red Bull Racing – they’ve done such an amazing job to support both drivers.

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“Obviously Max joins very much the greats today. It’s a big evening for us, a big year for us, and I’m hugely proud of what we’ve achieved.”

Meanwhile, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton collected his trophy for placing third in the standings, and Oscar Piastri picked up the FIA’s Rookie of the Year award after his impressive debut F1 season with McLaren, which included two Grand Prix podium finishes and a Sprint race victory.