LAS VEGAS (AP) — In a spectacular display of skill, Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship on Saturday night by finishing fifth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This victory not only highlights Verstappen’s prowess but also secures Red Bull’s fourth straight driver championship.
The Dutch racer only needed to outpace McLaren’s Lando Norris to secure the title, and he managed to start from fifth place and quickly climbed to second by the tenth lap around the iconic Las Vegas Strip circuit.
Norris, who needed to score at least three points more than Verstappen to keep the championship race alive, ended the race in sixth position. Verstappen’s performance ensured he would take the title, with two races still remaining in the season.
“Max Verstappen, you are a four-time world champion,” exclaimed team principal Christian Horner over the radio. “This is a phenomenal achievement, and you have every reason to be proud, just as we are.”
Upon hearing the news, Verstappen expressed his emotional response on the team radio: “Oh My God, what a season. Four times. Thank you, thank you guys. We gave it all.” His victory marks him as one of only six drivers in F1 history to secure four titles.
The race itself was won by George Russell, who finished ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton, marking Mercedes’ first 1-2 finish since 2022. Hamilton, starting from tenth position after a difficult race in Brazil two weeks prior, charged his way to a podium finish.
The two drivers crossed the finish line under a checkered flag waved by actor Sylvester Stallone, adding a touch of glamour to the event.
Carlos Sainz Jr. from Ferrari came in third, keeping the constructor championship race competitive between McLaren, who leads, and Ferrari. Charles Leclerc, Sainz’s teammate, finished in fourth. While Red Bull won the lucrative constructor championship in the past two seasons, they currently sit in third place in the standings.
The championship battle may extend to the season finale in Abu Dhabi next month, with McLaren holding a 24-point lead over Ferrari heading into the upcoming race in Qatar.
This season, Verstappen faced stiffer competition from Norris than he had experienced since his first title in 2021. “Standing here as a four-time world champion is something I never imagined possible,” Verstappen told actor Terry Crews during the podium press conference held by the scenic Bellagio fountains. “It has been a challenging season, and I learned a lot about maintaining calm under pressure. We handled it well as a team, which makes this a very special season.”
At 27, Verstappen won an impressive 19 races last year. Although he started this season strong, he experienced a long stretch without a win from June until Brazil, bringing his total to eight victories—the lowest since 2020. Before the race, he expressed his eagerness for a champagne celebration, stating he was “very thirsty” in the lively Las Vegas atmosphere.
About 20 laps from the end, Red Bull encouraged Verstappen to stay calm and focused. However, he was unbothered by team instructions, confidently asserting, “Yeah, yeah. I’m doing my race.” When he noticed Ferrari drivers behind him, he queried whether to defend his position, receiving an affirmative response from his team. Although he ultimately couldn’t fend them off, his earlier dominance ensured he met the criteria to match Sebastian Vettel as four-time champions for Red Bull.
This year’s race came after last year’s event faced numerous challenges, including complaints from locals about ongoing construction and traffic issues, which hindered access to local businesses. The event also suffered from multiple delays due to a valve cover incident that nearly damaged Sainz’s Ferrari, causing chaos during the first practice. This year, however, the race unfolded more smoothly, benefiting from lessons learned from last year’s experience.
Russell started from the pole position, eager for redemption after last year’s issues, remarking, “I was hoping Vegas had something to offer me after last year, but I will take a podium. This time I was carefully avoiding every manhole.”
The Las Vegas Grand Prix marked the last race in the U.S. for F1 this season, a highlight of the sport’s growing popularity in America over recent years. Following the race, F1 is expected to announce plans to expand its grid to 11 teams to include an American team backed by General Motors’ Cadillac brand, with ownership changes underway to allow this expansion to proceed by 2026.
The announcement regarding the new American team was held off until after the race to maintain focus on the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a crucial event within the Liberty Media portfolio. Despite a costly debut last year, the glitz and glamour of this year’s race remained intact, featuring nightclubs, an ice-skating rink, and top musical acts all contributing to a celebratory atmosphere. Race-winner Russell decided to forgo his flight home, opting instead to celebrate his victory with Crews.
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