Max Verstappen wins 2024 F1 title in Las Vegas to join elite list of drivers

23 hours ago

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Max Verstappen has secured the 2024 F1 drivers' championship by outperforming his nearest rival, Lando Norris, during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Red Bull racer, who began the race in fifth place, managed to maintain that position throughout the 50 laps. Meanwhile, the McLaren driver finished in sixth place.

This means that Verstappen is unbeatable, as there are still 60 points available in the final two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen has now earned four Formula 1 world titles, placing him alongside Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel. This achievement positions him behind only Juan Manuel Fangio, who has five championships, and Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, both of whom have seven.

At 27 years old, he joins an exclusive group of just four other men who have secured four championships in a row. The only driver to achieve five consecutive titles is Schumacher.

George Russell secured victory in Las Vegas, bringing home a one-two finish for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton right behind him in second place. Carlos Sainz took third place.

"Wow, what a season! Four times now!" Verstappen exclaimed over the team radio.

"Thank you all! This year was a bit tougher than last, but we made it through. I truly appreciate everyone’s support!"

"I never imagined it would be possible, but thanks to all of you, it has become a reality. I truly appreciate it!"

Verstappen came close to clinching the 2024 championship with one of his most impressive victories three weeks ago in Brazil, where he charged from 17th place on the starting grid to secure a 20-second victory in rainy weather.

After the race in Sao Paulo, Norris acknowledged that it was just a matter of time before Verstappen became the champion of the 2024 drivers' standings.

Verstappen's accomplishments this year are even more remarkable when you consider where Red Bull stands in the constructors' championship. While Sergio Perez is facing challenges, Red Bull is currently in third place, trailing behind McLaren in first and Ferrari in second.

However, Verstappen established a strong advantage in the drivers' championship this season right from the first race in Bahrain, clinching victory in four out of the first five races.

However, following Norris's maiden victory in Formula 1 in Miami in May, McLaren steadily emerged as the fastest team on the track, with both Ferrari and Mercedes also in a position to compete for race wins.

Despite this, Verstappen secured crucial victories in Imola, Canada, and Spain before experiencing a losing streak that lasted from June to November.

However, a combination of slow starts and strategic mistakes caused Norris to struggle in closing the gap in the standings. Verstappen’s victory in Brazil ultimately dealt a decisive blow to the Brit's attempt to compete.

Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are both tied with seven world championship titles.

Juan Manuel Fangio - 5 Titles

Alain Prost, Sebastian Vettel, and Max Verstappen - three notable figures in the world of Formula 1.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed his congratulations to Max for an exceptional season and his fourth world championship. He highlighted Max as a remarkable athlete in the sport, emphasizing that he has a lot more to achieve in his already illustrious career.

"This season has been exciting, and it looks like 2025 will be even more competitive. Well done, Max, and a big shout-out to the entire Red Bull team!"

Verstappen's agreement with Red Bull lasts until the conclusion of the 2028 season, and he is set on achieving his fifth consecutive championship title in the upcoming season.

He secured his first championship under contentious conditions in Abu Dhabi following an unforgettable 2021 season. He then went on to achieve even more commanding victories in 2022 and 2023. In the previous year, he triumphed in 19 out of 22 races.

This also signifies that Verstappen has secured the title on a Saturday for the second consecutive year, rather than on a Sunday. He achieved last year’s championship during the sprint race in Qatar, making him the first F1 driver to clinch the title on a Saturday in four decades.