Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers’ Championship at the exciting Las Vegas Grand Prix.
George Russell secured the race victory for Mercedes, but the spotlight remained on Max Verstappen. All he needed to do to win the title was finish ahead of his closest rival, Lando Norris. Verstappen started the race in fifth, just ahead of Norris in sixth. The two drivers were side-by-side at the start, but Verstappen held his ground and never relinquished his position. He finished the race in fifth, with Norris behind in sixth, making his championship lead unassailable with only two races left.
Verstappen’s victory places him among Formula 1’s all-time greats. He joins Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, and Sebastian Vettel, all of whom have won four or more World Championships. After crossing the finish line, Verstappen shared his joy with his team over the radio. “What a season. Four times. Thank you, guys,” he said. Reflecting on the season, Verstappen admitted it had been more challenging than last year. Yet, he was proud of his and his team’s efforts. Despite the tough competition, they had pushed through and secured the title.
The season began with Verstappen in dominant form, winning seven of the first ten races. However, McLaren’s pace began to improve, and Red Bull’s dominance started to fade. Despite winning only one of the next 12 races, Verstappen kept accumulating points. This allowed him to maintain his lead over Norris throughout the season. “It’s been a long season,” Verstappen said after the race. “We had a tough run, but we kept working, and we pulled off the win.” He emphasized the team’s resilience in overcoming challenges and making the most of difficult situations.
Norris, who had been a strong contender throughout the season, expressed his disappointment but also praised Verstappen’s performance. “Max deserved to win it,” he said. Norris acknowledged Verstappen’s consistent excellence, saying, “He doesn’t have a weakness.” Whether he had the best car or not, Verstappen always managed to stay in the fight. Norris admitted that Verstappen’s dominance made it hard to break his hold on the title.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix also saw a remarkable performance from Mercedes. Russell, who started from pole position, took control of the race early on. Despite a brief battle with Charles Leclerc, Russell was in charge for most of the race. This victory marked his third career win and his second of the season, after a win in Austria earlier in the year. “It’s been a dream of a weekend,” Russell said, clearly thrilled. He added, “We couldn’t have chosen a better place to make this happen.” He also mentioned he planned to enjoy the victory with his team in Las Vegas.
Hamilton, Russell’s teammate, also had a strong race. After qualifying in tenth, Hamilton charged through the field to finish second. His performance earned him his 202nd career podium, extending his own record. Hamilton’s podium finish also marked his 36th different track where he has finished in the top three. “It’s been a great weekend,” Hamilton said, pleased with his result and his team’s overall performance.
Ferrari also had a strong showing. Carlos Sainz finished in third, with Charles Leclerc just behind him in fourth. The two Ferrari drivers had a thrilling battle throughout the race, exchanging positions several times. They also had some close encounters with Verstappen, making for an exciting race. The outcome also had an impact on the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari narrowed the gap to McLaren to just 24 points. Meanwhile, Red Bull trails by 53 points, keeping the championship race alive heading into the final two races in Qatar and the UAE.
As the season heads toward its conclusion, there’s still plenty to fight for. Verstappen’s fourth title solidifies his place among the best in F1 history, but the Constructors’ Championship is still up for grabs. The Las Vegas Grand Prix was another thrilling chapter in what has been an unforgettable season. Both individual and team performances will play a crucial role in the final races of the year.