Max Verstappen Clinches Fourth F1 Title in Las Vegas: A Gritty Campaign of Triumph and Challenges
LAS VEGAS — Under the dazzling lights of the Las Vegas Strip, Max Verstappen secured his fourth Formula 1 world championship in a way that perfectly encapsulated his 2024 season: gritty, determined, and far from conventional. A fifth-place finish might not scream “champion,” but for Verstappen, it was a fitting conclusion to a season that tested him in ways his previous three titles never did.
Sure, a podium finish would have been a more glamorous way to seal the deal, but this year was about more than just glory. It was about guts, resilience, and proving that even when the odds aren’t stacked in your favor, greatness finds a way to shine through.
A Season Unlike Any Other
Verstappen’s fourth title felt different from the start. His 2021 championship was a dramatic, edge-of-your-seat battle with Lewis Hamilton, while his 2022 and 2023 campaigns were dominant displays of an unstoppable force, with Verstappen winning 34 of 44 races across those two seasons. But 2024? This was a grind. This was a season where Verstappen had to dig deeper than ever before, often racing without the fastest car on the grid and enduring off-track turmoil that could have derailed a lesser competitor.
“I’m very proud of this season because for most of the season, I would say for 70% of the season, we didn’t have the fastest car, but actually we still extended our lead,” Verstappen said after clinching the title. “So that is definitely something that I’m very proud of.”
Red Bull’s Rocky Road
The season began under a cloud of controversy for Red Bull. Team principal Christian Horner faced allegations of inappropriate behavior from a female colleague. Though Horner denied the accusations and was cleared of wrongdoing after an internal investigation, the drama created a power struggle within the team. Things escalated when Verstappen’s father, Jos, publicly called for Horner’s resignation after the first race of the season, despite Max winning four of the first five races.
Adding to the tension, Red Bull’s legendary lead designer Adrian Newey announced he would leave the team in early 2025, raising questions about the team’s ability to maintain its dominance in the years to come. Despite these distractions, Verstappen managed to keep his focus on the track, even as the competition began to close the gap.
The Rise of Lando Norris and McLaren
After five rounds, Verstappen held a 25-point lead over teammate Sergio Pérez and a 62-point lead over eventual title rival Lando Norris. But everything changed at the sixth round in Miami, where McLaren introduced an upgrade that transformed Norris into a legitimate contender. Suddenly, Verstappen no longer had the fastest car, and every race became a battle to stay in the top three.
“From Miami onwards, most of the time we were not the quickest anymore, and Miami is still very early on in the season,” Verstappen explained. “So, you know, 50 points, 60 points, they can very easily be overturned if you keep maximizing results and not do anything crazy.”
Key Moments That Defined the Season
Despite the challenges, Verstappen still managed to win eight races in 2024, more than double the total of any other driver. Among those victories were some of the finest performances of his career:
- A masterclass in wet conditions in Brazil earlier this month.
- Against-the-odds wins in Spain and Canada back in June.
But it wasn’t just the wins that made the difference. Verstappen’s ability to consistently finish on the podium, even when his car wasn’t the fastest, ensured he maintained a comfortable points margin. “Through the summer months when we were struggling a bit with the car, he was still second in Silverstone, second in Zandvoort, and he was still picking up big podiums and results,” Horner said.
Verstappen’s Growth as a Driver
For Verstappen, this season wasn’t just about winning another title; it was about personal growth. “It was a very challenging season,” he admitted. “I think also as a person, at times it’s very challenging and I had to be calm. And I think in a way, of course, I still prefer last season. I enjoyed that a lot, but I think this season definitely, again, taught me a lot of lessons that I’m very proud of.”
Horner believes this season has solidified Verstappen’s place among the all-time greats. “I think what he’s really done this year is absolutely cement his position amongst the greats in the sport. I think both statistically and the way he has driven, that’s unquestionable now.”
Celebrating in Style
As Verstappen walked out of his champion’s press conference and into the neon glow of Las Vegas, his focus wasn’t on a fifth title in 2025. Instead, he was ready to celebrate. Clutching an empty can of Heineken, he joked, “I ran out of beer. So yeah, I don’t know, maybe another one. And then maybe I switch to something else.”
For Verstappen, this season was a test of endurance, patience, and determination. And as he crossed the finish line in Las Vegas, there was one overwhelming emotion: relief. “Honestly, when I crossed the line, I was just very relieved,” he said. “I was like, it’s over. It’s been a very tough run of races.”
With his fourth title in the bag, Verstappen has proven that he’s not just a dominant driver but a resilient one. And if this season is any indication, the rest of the grid should be very worried about what’s coming next.
Originally Written by: Laurence Edmondson
