The 2021 FIA Prize-Giving Ceremony took place on the eve of December 16, only days after Max Verstappen clinched his first-ever world championship title in F1. Hence, with all of the FIA events coming to a close for the year, the racing federation presented the ceremony at Louvre Museum in Paris.
Two of the biggest names were missing – Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff. Of course, we would have wished to see the 7-time world champion’s fashion choice for the event. However, unfortunately, the way he lost his driver’s championship led Mercedes to allegedly stay away from the ceremony in an attempt to make a statement against the FIA.
But, despite the absence of the duo, the event still very much had enough faces show up including racing drivers, their bosses, and their respective families in amazing outfits. And, a lot of snapshots, too, surfaced on social media. Take a look at some of them.
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Best F1 images from the 2021 FIA Gala
First and foremost, the man of the evening, Max Verstappen along with his girlfriend and the daughter of world champion, Nelson Piquet, Kelly Piquet.
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) December 16, 2021
Alfa Romeo F1 driver, Valtteri Bottas, and his professional cyclist girlfriend, Tiffany Cromwell.
#F1 – Valtteri Bottas has arrived with his girlfriend at the FIA Prize Gala. He was not able to participate at the press conference after his flight from Hinwil has been delayed.#FIAPrizeGiving2021 pic.twitter.com/sDm68S2OAb
— Ahmet Cir (@AhmetCirF1) December 16, 2021
Mercedes F1 team’s chief technical officer, James Allison.
📸| @MercedesAMGF1 officially crowned #F1 2021 Constructor Champion 👇🏻#FIAPrizeGiving2021 pic.twitter.com/B7GflgGVJA
— F1world (@f1world_it) December 16, 2021
Red Bull boss, Christian Horner, and his wife, Geri Halliwell
📸| @redbullracing team principal Christian Horner with his wife Geri Horner this evening 👇🏻
#FIAPrizeGiving2021 pic.twitter.com/t37CefeESF
— F1world (@f1world_it) December 16, 2021
President of the FIA, Jean Todt
📸| Jean Todt at the FIA gala press conference this evening 👇🏻
(@GettyImages) #FIAPrizeGiving2021 #F1 pic.twitter.com/YMZfZ4xt2O
— F1world (@f1world_it) December 16, 2021
Other award-receiving images
Oscar Piastri, the 2021 Formula 2 world champion.
🏆 #FIAPrizeGiving2021 – The FIA Rookie of the year, selected by the FIA Drivers' Commission, is presented to the most exciting talent in an FIA Championship this year. Congratulations @OscarPiastri FIA 2021 Rookie of the year pic.twitter.com/BlrW7rb7h6
— FIA (@fia) December 16, 2021
Oscar Piastri in a suit, that’s all 👑 pic.twitter.com/WCV6DmQNkV
— rie (@High5Forever) December 16, 2021
2021 Formula-E world champion, Nyck de Vries
🏆 #FIAPrizeGiving2021 – 2021 was the season during which @FIAFormulaE became an FIA World Championship. Let's celebrate the winner of a thrilling season and first ABB FIA Formula E World Champion: @nyckdevries #FormulaE pic.twitter.com/jxUYuGpJv5
— FIA (@fia) December 16, 2021
2021 FIA World Rally champions, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia (8th world title)
🏆 #FIAPrizeGiving2021 – Another fantastic season @OfficialWRC. The French pair, @SebOgier and Julien Ingrassia have ensured their place in motor sport history by claiming their eighth world title#WRC pic.twitter.com/SmTUoCzaGm
— FIA (@fia) December 16, 2021
2021 FIA World Endurance Championship winners, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Jose Maria Lopez
🏆 #FIAPrizeGiving2021 – Let's meet @Mikeconway26 @kamui_kobayashi @pechito37 winners of their second consecutive @FIAWEC Championship with @TGR_WEC #7 #WEC pic.twitter.com/7CDnuLoEN2
— FIA (@fia) December 16, 2021
2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship winner, Johan Kristoffersson
🏆 #FIAPrizeGiving2021 – For one more year, no one were able to match @JohanKMS88 consistency as he raced to a record breaking fourth @FIAWorldRX crown #WorldRX pic.twitter.com/FREcyE0KF0
— FIA (@fia) December 16, 2021
And finally, the 2021 FIA Gala hosts and Canal+ commentators, Nicki Shields and Julien Febreau
It’s that time! 🏆🏆🏆 Super excited to be hosting the FIA Prize Giving alongside F1 Commentator @Julien_FEBREAU …. Join us tomorrow evening when the Champions are officially crowned!
Watch the show live on Thursday at 9PM CET on the @fia Facebook page and @F1 TV pic.twitter.com/iTD6JP87fc
— Nicki Shields (@Nickishields) December 15, 2021
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Overall, an evening of absolute joy for if not the entire racing community, at least for most of it. But, the event did indeed miss some drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, and most importantly, Kimi Raikkonen, who stole the show back in 2018 after getting too drunk.
Well, it’s over! And like every other year, we now have a 3-month hibernation to travel past before Formula 1 flags off the 2022 season where the drivers go all over again to find a seat at the next FIA Gala.
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