Five things we learned from the FIA Gala

This year the event took place in Baku, not far from the street circuit that has hosted a Formula 1 race since 2017.

The Gala is perhaps the biggest gathering of racing people away from the intensity of the competition – and it always prompts some moments of reflection and intrigue.

Friday night was no exception, as we run through five big takeaways from the celebrations.

Verstappen admits to Abu Dhabi podium moment

Max Verstappen has gotten well used to collecting trophies this year, after his record-breaking run to a third consecutive F1 title.

But as he collected the official F1 drivers’ word championship silverware, he admitted that there was one podium that stood out for him as being a bit different this year.

And that was the final one in Abu Dhabi when, looking back over his team and the dominant RB19 that was on the ground in front of him, he realised it was the last time he would get to race that car in anger.

“Of course, through the year we were on a great roll and you want to perform every single race weekend,” he said about his feelings through the year.

“But I think it did hit me a little hard once I was standing on the podium in Abu Dhabi.

“You realise the season is over, and you don’t get to drive this car any more unfortunately. But it has been incredible… I am extremely proud of what we have achieved this year but of course I hope also it doesn’t stop.”

Verstappen took the trophy, but Hamilton remains a champion

The annual end of season FIA Prize Gala is a chance for champions to soak up the glory of their successes as they are officially crowned.

But each championship’s regulations stipulate that the top three drivers must attend the spectacular – which has not always been something that those who did not win have especially liked.

Effectively being the support band is not something that any of F1’s greats revel in, but for third placed Lewis Hamilton in particular, this Gala was especially notable.

It was his first time back to the event since he unsurprisingly skipped 2021 in the wake of the FIA’s mishandling of the safety car restart at that year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which cost him the crown.

But his appearance also came against the backdrop of this week’s controversy over the FIA’s confusing decision to go public that it was looking into allegations of a potential conflict of interest between…