FIA Gala: Karting champion names Hamilton & Vettel as idols in front of Verstappen; WATCH

Celebrations continued for Red Bull driver Max Verstappen who received his F1 Drivers World Trophy Championship trophy during FIA prize giving ceremony on Thursday. Abu Dhabi GP on Sunday witnessed a very dramatic and controversial end to Verstappen vs Hamilton rivalry in which  former beat latter in last lap to claim win as well as title.

Karting World Champion names Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel as his idol

Apart from crowning ceremony of Max Verstappen, FIA Gala awards witnessed winners of or motorsports fields being handed trophy. Max Verstappen h opportunity to give away trophy to stars of tomorrow, with Karting World Champions coming in shape of Tuukka Taponen, Kean Nakamura and Noah Mill.

Max Verstappen h opportunity to present award to Kean Nakamura and when youngster was asked who his inspiration was to which he replied with name of Lewis Hamilton and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel but not Max Verstappen, prompting an awkward reaction from Red Bull driver. He said, "I grew up watching Lewis drive, [and] Sebastian racing toger. I’ve always looked up to all top racers in F1 really.”

F1 set to change rules following Verstappen vs Hamilton controversy

Max Verstappen will start 2022 season as defending World Champion and will be expecting a fierce fight from Lewis Hamilton who will look to reclaim title he lost this season. In a major development regarding next season, F1 managing director Ross Brawn has decided to stop team principals from being able to speak to race director while race is going on, starting from next season onwards.

decision was taken after Michael Masi controversy during season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Both Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff and Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner were heard talking to Race director Masi after he allowed lap cars to overtake Safety car with his earlier decision being to not allow lapped cars unlap mselves. decision benefitted Max Verstappen who started besides Lewis Hamilton on fresh tyre before overtaking him to snatch F1 Championship at last corner.

Image: Lewisgfreal/ Twitter