Verstappen Wins FIA Action of the Year Award for Imola Overtake

Max Verstappen has claimed the FIA's Action of the Year award for his bold opening-lap overtake on Oscar Piastri at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, beating out nominations from Lando Norris and Oliver Bearman. The Red Bull driver secured the accolade despite being absent from the awards gala in Uzbekistan due to illness, marking a highlight in a season where he finished as runner-up in the drivers' championship.

Why it matters:

While the 2025 season ultimately belonged to Lando Norris and McLaren, this award underscores Verstappen's relentless, race-defining aggression that remained a constant threat. Winning a fan-voted category for on-track bravery reinforces his reputation as one of the sport's most formidable wheel-to-wheel competitors, even in a year where the championship slipped from his grasp.

The details:

The award recognized a specific moment of high skill and risk from Verstappen's season.

• The Winning Move: On the opening lap at Imola, Verstappen executed a decisive overtake on McLaren's Oscar Piastri, a maneuver that set the tone for his race and ultimately secured him the prize.
• The Competition: He beat out Lando Norris, nominated for a defensive move against Piastri in Austria, and Haas rookie Oliver Bearman, recognized for his overtake on Verstappen himself at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
• Absent Champion: Verstappen did not attend the Tashkent gala, having announced earlier he would miss the event due to illness, breaking a personal streak of attendance.

The big picture:

The award comes at the close of a transitional season where Verstappen and Red Bull were finally dethroned after years of dominance. In his recorded message to the gala, Verstappen expressed satisfaction at pushing Norris to the final race and congratulated both his rival and McLaren on their title successes. His focus, alongside a congratulations to re-elected FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is now squarely on the future and the reset promised by the 2026 regulations.

What's next:

For Verstappen, the 2026 season represents a clean slate and a new technical challenge. His immediate message highlighted excitement for the upcoming season, indicating that the competitive fire burns as brightly as ever. This award for a moment of pure racing instinct serves as a reminder that, regardless of the car's ultimate performance, Verstappen remains a central figure capable of producing the season's most memorable actions.