Verstappen secures the championship with a fifth-place finish, while Mercedes’ Russell takes victory in a dramatic Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen made history in the Las Vegas Grand Prix by securing his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. Despite finishing in fifth place, the Dutchman’s performance was enough to ensure he couldn’t be caught by his closest title rival, Lando Norris, who finished sixth. Verstappen now joins the ranks of F1 legends Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel as a four-time world champion, with only Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Juan Manuel Fangio ahead of him in the all-time standings.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix itself was a thrilling spectacle, with Mercedes’ George Russell taking the win. Russell held off a determined Lewis Hamilton, who made a stunning recovery from 10th on the grid to finish second. Hamilton’s performance added a touch of drama to the race, showcasing the fierce competition within Mercedes as they battled for supremacy.
For Verstappen, the race’s outcome was more about securing his place in history rather than chasing a race win. His finish behind the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc was sufficient to seal the title, with Norris’ sixth-place finish leaving him 63 points adrift of the champion. With only 60 points available from the remaining races, it was mathematically impossible for Norris to catch Verstappen, solidifying the Red Bull driver’s dominance in 2024.
After the race, Verstappen reflected on his remarkable achievement over the radio, expressing relief and pride at his championship success. “What a season,” he said. “It was a little more difficult than last season, but we pulled through. It has been a long season, and we started amazing, almost like cruising, but then we had a tough run. But we kept it together as a team, kept working on improvements and pulled it over the line.”
Verstappen’s achievement highlights his consistent brilliance throughout the season, overcoming challenges and maintaining Red Bull’s superior performance. As he stands alongside the greats of the sport, the future looks bright for Verstappen, who seems poised to continue his dominance in Formula 1 for years to come.
