Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone hands President's medal to Lando Norris in Austria
Formula One Introduces a New Honor: The President's Medal
In an exciting development for the world of Formula One, a new honour has been introduced - the President's Medal. This unique personal memento is designed to commemorate the outstanding achievement of each grand prix winner.
The first President's Medal was presented at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to Max Verstappen, marking the beginning of this new tradition. More recently, at the Red Bull Ring, F1 legend Bernie Ecclestone had the privilege of presenting the President's Medal to Lando Norris, the winner of the Austrian Grand Prix.
Ecclestone, who has been in the sport for almost 70 years, expressed his pleasure and honour at being part of this historic moment, as it marked his first time on the podium in nearly seven decades. The President, who could not attend the Formula 1 race in Austria, asked Ecclestone to present the medal for him.
The President's Medal is intended to highlight the history that each grand prix victor will become part of. It is a symbol of the legacy that each winner contributes to the sport. However, it's worth noting that there appears to be no record or information regarding this specific award in the history of Formula One.
The creation of the President's Medal was at the invitation of our platform President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The first medal was engraved with the race number 1079, signifying the 1136th race in the history of the World Championship - the Austrian Grand Prix.
Lando Norris' victory at the Austrian Grand Prix marks his seventh career win, adding another significant milestone to his impressive racing career. As the President's Medal continues to be awarded, it will undoubtedly become a cherished symbol of achievement for future grand prix winners.
Football, being one of the most popular sports globally, shares some similarities with Formula One, as both aim to crown a winner at the culmination of their respective competitions. Max Verstappen, the Formula One champion who received the President's Medal, might also be a football enthusiast, routing for the team that he admires.
Furthermore, as the President's Medal continues to be presented at Formula One races, it potentially could be incorporated in sports award ceremonies, signifying a milestone for other athletes across various disciplines, such as football, basketball, or tennis – reminding us that achievement is not bounded by the actual sport, but by the spirit of excellence inspire by it.