Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship with a composed drive to fifth place in the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday night.
While Mercedes celebrated a dominant one-two finish led by George Russell, Verstappen’s milestone took center stage, cementing his place among F1 legends.
Starting from third, Verstappen needed only to outscore title rival Lando Norris to claim the crown. The Dutchman expertly managed his race, keeping Norris at bay from the first corner and steadily extending his lead. Though Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc overtook him late in the race, Verstappen wisely avoided unnecessary risks, focusing solely on the championship goal.
Verstappen’s consistent dominance this season sees him join the elite ranks of four-time champions, all achieved consecutively since his first triumph in 2021.
At the sharp end, George Russell delivered a masterclass in challenging, slippery conditions, securing his second career win and Mercedes’ first victory since July’s Belgian Grand Prix. Starting from pole, Russell fended off an aggressive Leclerc early on and maintained control to cross the line 7.3 seconds ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton, who surged from 10th on the grid to complete a stellar recovery drive.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz claimed third, while teammate Charles Leclerc settled for fourth after struggling with tire wear following his bold early moves.
Norris secured sixth with the fastest lap, though it officially ended his mathematical championship hopes. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri finished seventh after a penalty for a false start, while Nico Hulkenberg earned crucial points for Haas by passing Yuki Tsunoda late in the race – potentially pivotal in the tight constructors’ battle for P6.
Technical issues plagued Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, forcing a heartbreaking retirement from a promising second-row start, while Red Bull’s Sergio Perez salvaged a solitary point with a 10th-place finish.
After the race, Verstappen basked in the glory of his achievement, celebrating with his Red Bull team in parc fermé. The 27-year-old reflected on his journey:
“Winning four titles in a row is an incredible feeling. I owe it all to the team and their relentless effort. This season has been truly special.”
With one race remaining, Verstappen’s dominance and Mercedes’ late resurgence promise an exciting conclusion to the 2024 season as teams and drivers look ahead to 2025.
Race Results: Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
1. George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:22:05.969
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – +7.313s
3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – +11.906s
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +14.283s
5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – +16.582s
Credit Photo : F1
