The glittering backdrop of Las Vegas played host to a night of high drama and historic achievement as Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Formula One World Championship. While the Dutchman’s fifth-place finish wasn’t his most dazzling result, it was more than enough to secure the title, placing him 135 points ahead of his nearest rival, Lando Norris, with 403 points to Norris’s 340. Verstappen has now joined the ranks of Formula One legends, demonstrating a level of dominance few can match.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix itself offered a mix of triumph and grit. Mercedes’ George Russell emerged victorious, marking his second win of the season with a well-executed race strategy. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, produced one of the most memorable drives of the year, recovering from a disappointing tenth-place start to finish second. Meanwhile, Ferrari delivered a solid performance, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc securing third and fourth places, respectively.
Championship Calm Amid Chaos
For Verstappen, the race was more about maintaining composure than taking risks. After clinching pole in Friday’s qualifying, he found himself embroiled in a midfield battle during the opening laps. Yet, even amidst the chaos, the Red Bull driver remained unflappable. Speaking after the race, he said:
“I knew what was at stake and didn’t want to take unnecessary risks. The team has given me a phenomenal car all season, and tonight was about bringing it home safely.”
With his fourth title now secured, Verstappen’s career trajectory mirrors the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton in their prime. When asked about his place in F1 history, Verstappen downplayed comparisons:
“I don’t focus on the records or numbers. I just want to keep improving as a driver and enjoy what I do.”
Mercedes’ Redemption Arc
While Verstappen celebrated his championship, Mercedes had their moment in the spotlight. George Russell’s Las Vegas triumph came after a season of ups and downs for the Silver Arrows. The young Brit, who battled fiercely with Carlos Sainz in the closing stages, praised his team’s efforts:
“Winning here in Vegas is a dream come true. The team’s hard work has paid off, and this result shows we’re heading in the right direction.”
Lewis Hamilton, too, had reason to celebrate. His charge from P10 to P2 underlined his enduring skill and determination. Reflecting on his performance, Hamilton said:
“It wasn’t an easy race by any means, but I loved every minute of it. The energy of the crowd here in Vegas is incredible—it’s why I race.”
Ferrari’s Resilience and Norris’s Regret
Ferrari’s consistent pace throughout the weekend resulted in another double points finish, with Sainz and Leclerc taking third and fourth. While their performance has steadily improved, the Scuderia remain locked in a battle with Mercedes for second place in the constructors’ standings.
For Lando Norris, however, the Vegas GP was a frustrating chapter. Despite a commendable sixth-place finish, the McLaren driver lamented what might have been:
“I gave it everything I had today, but Max has been on another level this season. Congratulations to him and Red Bull—they’ve been relentless.”
Norris, now mathematically out of title contention, will aim to finish the season on a high, solidifying his status as one of the brightest stars in F1.
2024 Drivers’ Standings (Top Five)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 403 points
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 340 points
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 319 points
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 268 points
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 217 points
Red Bull’s Legacy
This season has not only been a testament to Verstappen’s brilliance but also to Red Bull Racing’s unyielding dominance. With the constructors’ title already in the bag, team principal Christian Horner lauded Verstappen’s achievement:
“What Max has done this season is nothing short of extraordinary. To win four titles at his age is remarkable, and it speaks volumes about his talent and work ethic.”
Looking Ahead
As Formula One heads into the final two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the focus will shift to battles lower down the standings and preparations for the 2025 season. For Verstappen, the remaining races will be a chance to extend his points tally, but for the rest of the grid, they represent a last opportunity to make their mark on a season dominated by the reigning champion.
With Las Vegas providing the perfect stage for Verstappen’s coronation, fans are left wondering: will his reign continue, or will 2025 see a new challenger rise? The truth is that there are more contenders heading into the 2025 season than previous to 2024. Whilst it was true that Red Bull had a superior car with the RB19, the 2024 model RB20 had significant issues that may or may not have been related to the departure of chief technology officer, Adrian Newey. during the course of 2024 though, we saw huge improvement in speed and performance by McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes to bring a genuine challenge to Max. We saw also that the performance of Perez deteriorate significantly and that also reflects on the engineering at Red Bull.
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