Max Verstappen Secures Fourth F1 World Title in Las Vegas
Max Verstappen has won his fourth consecutive Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship after finishing fifth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver joined legends like Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel as a four-time champion, while only Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Juan Manuel Fangio hold more titles.
“It has been a long season,” Verstappen said. “We started amazing, almost like cruising, but then had a tough run but we kept it together as a team, kept working on improvements and pulled it over the line. To stand here as a four-time world champion is something I never thought possible.”
How did the race play out?
The race itself was dominated by Mercedes, with George Russell taking the win ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton, who climbed from 10th on the grid to secure second. Verstappen initially climbed to second place but slipped back during the second stint, overtaken by Hamilton and the Ferrari duo. Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc claimed third and fourth, while Verstappen’s closest rival, Lando Norris, managed only sixth. With this result, Norris is now 63 points behind Verstappen, sealing the title for Verstappen with two races remaining and only 60 points left to claim.
Verstappen praised by team principal Christian Horner
Verstappen dominated the early part of the season, winning seven of the first 10 races. However, mid-season struggles for Red Bull allowed McLaren and Ferrari to close the gap. A standout moment came at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Verstappen stormed from 17th to first in a rain-hit race, reasserting his control of the championship.
Despite Red Bull’s recent dip in form and their slip to third in the Constructors’ Championship, Verstappen has consistently delivered strong finishes. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised Verstappen’s performance:
“He’s been in a class of his own this year... He’s won eight Grands Prix, more than double anyone else... He deserves this fourth world championship. It puts him among the elite of the sport.”
Ferrari battle McLaren for Constructors’ Championship title
The Ferraris’ strong performance also tightened their battle with McLaren for second in the Constructors’ standings. Meanwhile, Norris snagged the fastest lap for an extra point, but it wasn’t enough to keep his championship hopes alive.
With just the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remaining, Verstappen’s achievement cements his legacy. The focus now shifts to the season’s final races, where the winner of the Constructors' Championship will be decided.
