Verstappen secures fourth F1 championship as Russell claims victory in Las Vegas Grand Prix
In a thrilling night race that took over the glitzy streets of Las Vegas, Max Verstappen clinched his fourth Formula 1 World Championship, while George Russell powered through to a commanding win, leading a Mercedes one-two finish.
Entering the Las Vegas Grand Prix, all eyes were on Verstappen, who was a stone's throw away from lifting the championship trophy yet again. The anticipation was for him to finish ahead of Lando Norris, his closest challenger in the title race. Verstappen, who showed promise early by running second, ultimately finished fifth, just enough to edge out Norris and secure the championship, with Norris finishing sixth and grabbing the fastest lap point.
Despite Verstappen's mid-season struggles, which saw him without a grand prix win for ten races before his triumph in Brazil, the Dutchman's consistency paid off, leading him to declare, "Oh my god what a season! Four times, four times! We pulled through and gave it all," overjoyed on the team radio after sealing the championship.
George Russell, who took the pole, was the star of the race, dominating from start to finish. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, made an impressive climb from tenth to second, making it a spectacular night for Mercedes. Russell, ecstatic about his win, stated, "Vegas is just a crazy, crazy place... to get victory here, pole position, and a dominant weekend - a one-two with Lewis as well, we couldn't have chosen a better place to make this happen."
The race was not without its challenges, with tyre graining due to the cooler Nevada desert temperatures playing a significant role. Despite this, Mercedes' strategy and car performance shone through, with Russell and Hamilton outpacing their rivals.
Ferrari seemed to pose a threat early on with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz looking faster, but their performance dwindled as tyre problems hit, allowing Mercedes to take the lead and never look back. Verstappen, aiming for the championship, was advised to focus on securing the title rather than battling for positions, ultimately finishing fifth behind the Ferraris.
Lewis Hamilton graciously congratulated Verstappen, recognizing his championship win as an outstanding achievement. "A big congratulations to Max, winning the championship with two races to go," said Hamilton.
Read next ❯ Ferrari to reveal Hamilton's debut F1 car on February 19 at MaranelloMercedes' one-two finish, their first since the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, marks a significant highlight in their season. With the Ferraris finishing third and fourth, and McLaren's Norris in sixth, the constructor's championship race has tightened, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the season.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix has certainly lived up to its billing, delivering a night of high-speed excitement and unforgettable moments, crowning Verstappen as a four-time world champion, and setting new milestones for Russell and Mercedes.
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