Verstappen wins fourth F1 title at Las Vegas GP

Max Verstappen secured his fourth Formula One world championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, joining an elite group of drivers who have achieved this milestone. The Dutch driver's victory came despite finishing fifth in the race, which was won by Mercedes George Russell.

The championship was clinched with two races remaining in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, as Verstappen built an insurmountable 63-point lead with only 60 points available. His main rival, McLaren's Lando Norris, finished sixth in Las Vegas.

The race itself was a spectacular showcase on the Strip, with Lewis Hamilton delivering an impressive performance to claim second place after starting tenth, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc completed the top four.

This fourth title puts Verstappen in the company of legends like Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel. Only Juan Manuel Fangio (5), and Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (7 each) have won more championships. Notably, Verstappen joins Vettel as the only drivers to win their first four titles consecutively.

The 2024 season proved to be Verstappen's most challenging championship yet. Despite a strong start with seven poles in the first seven races and winning seven of the initial ten races, he faced a ten-race winless streak as Red Bull's dominance waned. McLaren's improved performance in the second half of the season and issues with car balance tested Verstappen's resilience.

The 27-year-old has now accumulated 62 career wins, though still trailing Hamilton's 105. His championship this year was marked more by consistency than outright dominance, as evidenced by the relatively modest 63-point gap to second place.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix also highlighted Mercedes' improved form, with Russell's victory marking their fourth win of the season. The race featured intense battles and numerous overtaking maneuvers, particularly at turn 14, establishing Las Vegas as an exciting addition to the Formula One calendar.