Red Bull ace Max Verstappen given $147,000 car by Honda during Thanks Day event in Japan

Red Bull ace Max Verstappen given $147,000 car by Honda during Thanks Day event in Japan

Honda as a team is huge in Japan, and their association with Red Bull has drawn in large support from the local crowd in F1. Max Verstappen and other Red Bull stars from different racing categories took part in a thanks day event in Japan over the weekend.

Joining Verstappen were Sergio Perez and AlphaTauri drivers Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda. We also saw legendary MotoGP driver Marc Márquez at Motegi on Saturday, where he spent time talking to Verstappen. He and the other drivers across Honda’s two-wheel and four-wheel motorsport stables took to the crowd to thank the Japanese company for their efforts over the course of the season. 

This was an event that was regular before the Covid 19 pandemic hit. However, this weekend’s Thanks Day was the first since 2019, and it was memorable. Gasly got behind the wheels of the AT01, which was the first-ever AlphaTauri-branded car. Tsunoda too got to drive in front of his home fans for the second time this season.

Also read: “I am convinced of that”: Esteban Ocon believes he can beat Max Verstappen for World Championship if Alpine fields competitive car

Honda gifts $147,000 NSX Type-R car to Max Verstappen

Verstappen became a World Champion for the first time in 2021 after a grueling fight for the Title alongside Hamilton. The duel between them was so close that it could only be settled on the final lap of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. His win was also very controversial, since then race director Michael Masi’s decision-making heavily influenced his victory.

This year, on the other hand, no one can deny that Verstappen deserved the Title. He just had a record-breaking season with 15 race wins and coasted towards his second consecutive Title win. The RB18 was the most superior car on track by far, but considering how far behind his own teammate was, Verstappen’s brilliance was on full display in 2022.

Even though Honda officially left Red Bull and AlphaTauri at the end of 2021, they remain closely linked with them. The two of them are still working together on their powertrains department, so a huge reason behind Verstappen and Red Bull’s success was Honda’s PU. To thank Verstappen for his extraordinary season, Honda gifted him a $147,000 NSX Type-R car.

Also read: “I hate that saying to be honest”: 23-year-old Lando Norris doesn’t like ‘best of the rest’ tag put to his name

Post Edited By: Somin Bhattacharjee
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Somin Bhattacharjee

Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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