Max Verstappen claims F1 title as George Russell wins in Las Vegas
Dutchman Max Verstappen is an F1 world champion for a fourth time after crossing fifth in Las Vegas Photo: AP
Max Verstappen has been crowned champion of the world for a fourth successive year after finishing fifth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix won in dominant style by George Russell.
Verstappen needed only to outscore Lando Norris to become just the sixth driver in Formula One history to win four titles or more.
And, with Norris taking the checkered flag in only sixth, Verstappen is guaranteed the world crown with two races remaining.
Lewis Hamilton raced back from 10th to second to complete an impressive one-two finish for Mercedes.
On top of the world đ#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/SElK32tkiZ
â Formula 1 (@F1) November 24, 2024
Carlos Sainz finished third for Ferrari, one place ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc.
Australiaâs Oscar Piastri, in his McLaren, started eighth on the grid and finished one place better.
Momentous feat
Russellâs third victory was the most dominant of his career so far, crossing the line 7.3 seconds clear of Hamilton, but the night on the Strip will be remembered for Verstappen cementing his name among the sportâs greats.
Verstappenâs fourth title, all but sealed three weeks ago following his wet-weather masterclass in Brazil, sees him emulate Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel as a four-time world champion, with only Hamilton and Michael Schumacher (both with seven) and Juan Manuel Fangio (five) now ahead of the all-conquering Dutchman in the record books.
MAX VERSTAPPEN IS THE 2024 F1 WORLD CHAMPION! đ
A brilliant fourth title in-a-row! Incredible!!!#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/kiBpPmV86H
â Formula 1 (@F1) November 24, 2024
And after Verstappen raced to four wins from the opening five rounds this year â against the backdrop of the furore surrounding his boss, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner â many F1 observers were expecting the Dutchman to run away with the title.
But Red Bullâs superiority suddenly vanished into thin air, with McLaren, Ferrari and even Mercedes at times boasting quicker cars.
Red Bull is on course to finish third in the constructorsâ championship this year.
This century only Hamilton in 2008 with McLaren, and Verstappen in 2021, have won the driversâ title when their team did not win the constructorsâ championship.
âPhenomenal achievementâ
Verstappen started fourth in Sin City and worked his way up to second before Hamilton zoomed past on lap 31.
The Dutchman then came under pressure from both Sainz and Leclerc in the closing stages, with the Spaniard moving past on lap 42 before Leclerc relegated the Red Bull man to fifth five laps later.
But Verstappen, who has won only one of the past 12 races, crossed the line comfortably clear of Norris to be sure of the title.
âMax Verstappen you are a four-time world champion,â said Horner on the radio.
âThat is a phenomenal, phenomenal achievement. You can be incredibly proud of yourself.â
An emotional Verstappen responded: âOh my God man, what a season. Four times. It was a little bit more difficult than last year.â
For Mercedes, the gridâs once-all conquering team will be staggered at their pace here.
Russellâs win never looked in doubt after he nailed his start, while Hamilton picked off the opposition at will to make up eight places with relative ease.
-PA