Max Verstappen may not have won Formula 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, but he has claimed something even more prestigious. On Sunday morning, Verstappen finished in fifth place in Las Vegas but won the 2024 Formula 1 championship after Lando Norris finished in sixth place. It is the Red Bull driver’s fourth consecutive world title.
Verstappen’s fourth Formula 1 championship comes with two races left in the 2024 season. Red Bull likely won’t claim the Constructors’ Championship, but a fourth consecutive Driver’s Championship is just as important. In 2023, Verstappen cruised to his third championship with 19 race wins, which is a monster number compared to his eight victories in 2024 to this point.
‘What a season. Four times. Thank you guys. Thank you to everyone,’ Verstappen said over the radio after being congratulated by team boss Christian Horner. ‘It was a little bit more difficult than last year but we pulled through and we gave it all.’
Norris was quick to recognise his rival’s achievement: ‘As much as it hurts a little bit, saying congrats doesn’t hurt,’ he said.
‘He drove an incredible season and when you have the quickest car he dominated and when he didn’t he was still there and always on my heels. He made my life tough, we made his tough at times I’m sure, but he drove a better season.’
Russell and Charles Leclerc had an amazing start, but it came down to the Mercedes teammates. Lewis Hamilton made a strong push in the final tire stint, but it wasn’t enough to claim the checkered flag.
Russell’s lead shrank from 10 seconds to just under five seconds, but Hamilton didn’t have enough time or tire life. Russell started on the pole and never faced a true challenge after Leclerc failed to make a pass in the opening stages of the event.