Red Bull driver Max Verstappen sent his “big congratulations” to Lando Norris and McLaren in a recorded video message at the FIA prize-giving gala on Friday.

It comes after PlanetF1.com revealed earlier that day that the four-time world champion would miss the awards ceremony in Uzbekistan through illness.

Max Verstappen absent as Lando Norris receives F1 world championship trophy at FIA ceremony

Norris secured his maiden world championship at last weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by finishing third behind McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and race winner Verstappen.

Despite winning six of the last nine races, Verstappen fell short of a fifth consecutive title by just two points.

Norris’s triumph ended the reign of Verstappen, who had been unbeaten since claiming his first world championsh

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