P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen suffered a rare defeat as he lost out to footballer Erling Haaland in the BBC World Sports Star of the Year award.
Despite winning the majority of races and securing his third consecutive world championship title in the record-breaking 2023 season, Max Verstappen lost the award to Manchester City’s star striker, Erling Haaland. Haaland had an exceptional first season in English football, scoring a remarkable 52 goals in all competitions, including a record-breaking 36 goals in the Premier League. His goals were instrumental in Manchester City’s historic treble-winning campaign. This is the second consecutive year that Verstappen has been defeated by a football player for the award, with Lionel Messi winning in 2022. Verstappen was nominated alongside Haaland, Simone Biles (Gymnastics), Siya Kolisi (Rugby Union), Aitana Bonmati (Football), and Novak Djokovic (Tennis). F1 drivers have only won the overseas award twice before, with Niki Lauda winning in 1977 and Sebastian Vettel in 2013.
