Max Verstappen’s Fourth F1 Title Sparks GOAT Debate
LAS VEGAS — At just 27 years old, Max Verstappen has clinched his fourth Formula 1 world championship, cementing his place in the conversation about the sport’s greatest drivers of all time. With this latest triumph, Verstappen joins an elite group of drivers who have won four championships: Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton. The Dutchman’s next target? A fifth title, which would place him alongside Fangio, Schumacher, and Hamilton. If Verstappen achieves this feat in 2025, he would match Schumacher’s record of five consecutive championships.
Verstappen’s 2023 season was already historic, but his 2024 campaign elevated his legacy even further. Despite a dominant start, winning seven of the first ten races, Red Bull’s season hit turbulence. The car became increasingly unpredictable, internal team issues surfaced, and McLaren emerged as a serious contender. Yet, Verstappen rose to the occasion, delivering clutch performances week after week. His defining moment came at the São Paulo Grand Prix, where he stormed from 17th on the grid to victory in torrential rain. That drive was instantly hailed as one of the greatest in F1 history.
Such performances are the hallmark of F1 legends. Ayrton Senna had Monaco 1984 and Donington 1992. Schumacher had Spain 1996. Hamilton had Silverstone 2008. Now, Verstappen has Interlagos 2024.
Three Types of Championships, One Driver
Verstappen’s career now checks off multiple boxes that define greatness. He won his first title in 2021 against another all-time great, Lewis Hamilton, in a nail-biting finale. He followed that with two dominant seasons in a car that was the class of the field. And now, in 2024, he has won a championship in a car that was often inferior to its rivals. Few drivers in F1 history can claim to have achieved all three types of championship-winning campaigns.
Critics often argue that dominant drivers owe their success to superior machinery. Verstappen has heard it all before. Earlier this year, McLaren CEO Zak Brown suggested that seven or eight current drivers could win the title in Verstappen’s Red Bull. Verstappen fired back, claiming he could have won the championship even earlier if he had been driving Brown’s McLaren. It was a not-so-subtle dig at his title rival, Lando Norris.
“Last year I had a dominant car, but I always felt not everyone appreciated what we achieved as a team,” Verstappen said in Las Vegas. “Of course, the car was dominant, but it wasn’t as dominant as people thought it was. I am also very proud of this season because for most of it — I would say for 70% — we didn’t have the fastest car, but actually, we still extended our lead. That is something I am very proud of.”
Teammate Comparisons and Legacy Building
Another testament to Verstappen’s greatness lies in the performance gap between him and his teammate, Sergio Pérez. While Pérez struggled mightily in the second RB20, Verstappen consistently extracted the maximum from the car. Many within Red Bull believe the car’s true potential lies somewhere between the two drivers’ performances, highlighting Verstappen’s ability to outperform expectations. His reputation as a “teammate killer” is well-earned, as he continues to push the limits of what’s possible behind the wheel.
As the 2024 season wraps up, it’s hard to imagine Verstappen stopping at four titles. McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes will undoubtedly aim to challenge him in 2025, but Verstappen has proven he is the driver to beat, regardless of the car’s competitiveness. His ability to adapt, minimize mistakes, and deliver under pressure sets him apart from his peers.
Is Verstappen the GOAT?
The question of whether Verstappen is the greatest of all time (GOAT) is a complex one. Assigning GOAT status in any sport is subjective and often influenced by recency bias. Formula 1, in particular, adds layers of complexity due to its ever-evolving nature. Comparing Verstappen to Fangio, for example, is like comparing apples to oranges. Fangio raced in an era of extreme danger, with fatality rates that would be unthinkable today. Modern F1, while still dangerous, benefits from vastly improved safety standards.
Other legendary drivers like Jim Clark, Gilles Villeneuve, and Ayrton Senna also left indelible marks on the sport, but their careers were tragically cut short. Meanwhile, drivers like Schumacher and Hamilton dominated their respective eras, setting benchmarks that Verstappen is now chasing.
Modern F1 drivers face their own unique challenges. Limited testing, budget caps, and the need to manage power units over a long season add layers of difficulty that previous generations didn’t encounter. Verstappen has thrived in this environment, raising the bar with each passing season.
The Future of Verstappen
Verstappen has repeatedly stated that he doesn’t plan to race into his late 30s, but for now, he remains the favorite heading into 2025. Whether he stays with Red Bull beyond 2026 or seeks a new challenge will be a storyline to watch. One thing is clear: Verstappen is the gold standard in F1 today, and any team’s best chance at success is to have him in their car.
As Verstappen continues to rewrite the record books, the GOAT debate will rage on. But if he keeps moving the goalposts, there may come a time when the debate is no longer necessary. For now, fans should savor the brilliance of a driver who is redefining what it means to be great in Formula 1.
Originally Written by: Laurence Edmondson
