Verstappen clinches fourth consecutive F1 title in Las Vegas, joins racing legends
LAS VEGAS – Max Verstappen, the Dutch racing sensation from Red Bull, secured his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship after finishing fifth in an electric Las Vegas Grand Prix, keeping ahead of his closest challenger, Lando Norris. With two races still left in the season, the 27-year-old now holds an unassailable 63-point lead over Norris of McLaren, cementing his place among F1's elite drivers.
While Mercedes celebrated a triumphant one-two finish led by George Russell on the night, it was Verstappen’s steadily amassed points that stole the headlines. Reflecting on his season, Verstappen shared, "It's been a long season and we started off amazing. It was almost cruising, then we had a tough run. But as a team, we kept it together, we kept working on improvements. I’m incredibly proud of everyone of what they've done for me and to stand here as a four-time world champion is something I never thought was possible, so at the moment I'm feeling relieved in a way, but also very proud."
The challenges of the current season have not been lost on Verstappen, who admitted this year has been more trying personally. "As a person at times it's very challenging and I had to be calm. In a way -- I still prefer last season, I enjoyed that a lot -- but I think this season taught me a lot of lessons that I'm proud of and we had as a team so it makes it very special and a beautiful season," he said.
Verstappen’s victory places him in the rarefied company of F1 legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton, all of whom have won at least four world titles. Moreover, he is among the few to have won four titles in consecutive years, a testament to his dominance and consistency in the sport.
The road to his fourth title was marked by early season victories, with Verstappen winning seven of the first 10 races. However, a midseason dip in performance by Red Bull gave McLaren and Norris a window to close the gap, highlighted by five wins since Norris’s first at the Miami Grand Prix. Nonetheless, Verstappen's solid early lead proved invaluable.
A pivotal moment in the championship race was the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on November 3, where Verstappen delivered perhaps the finest drive of his career. Starting 17th, he masterfully handled the wet conditions to claim victory, while Norris, starting from pole, faltered.
As Verstappen gears up for the 2025 season, his sights will be set on another historic achievement—matching Michael Schumacher’s record of five consecutive world titles. But for now, the racing world pauses to celebrate the remarkable achievements of a driver who is swiftly carving his place in Formula 1 history.
Up Next
