Max Verstappen clinches fourth straight Formula One World Championship
Max Verstappen Clinches Fourth F1 World Title at Las Vegas Grand Prix
Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One World Championship under the bright lights of the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday. The 27-year-old Dutch driver sealed the title despite finishing fifth in a race dominated by George Russell of Mercedes.
Verstappen’s achievement places him among elite company, joining legends like Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Juan Manuel Fangio, Sebastian Vettel, and Alain Prost as drivers with four or more championships.
Verstappen’s Title Secured Despite Fifth-Place Finish
Verstappen’s only remaining title contender, McLaren’s Lando Norris, ended his night in sixth place, effectively confirming the Red Bull driver’s championship triumph.
“Unbelievable! Four titles—thank you, team!” Verstappen exclaimed over the team radio. “This season was tougher than last year, but we made it through. Thanks for all your support.”
Russell Shines, Hamilton Fights Back
George Russell delivered a flawless performance to take victory, finishing 7.313 seconds ahead of his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, who recovered from a 10th-place start to claim second.
The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc rounded out the top four, with Leclerc delivering a strong opening to challenge Russell early on.
Norris, needing to outscore Verstappen by three points to prolong the championship battle, managed the fastest lap for an additional point but fell well short of keeping his hopes alive.
Key Highlights from Las Vegas
On a mild night in Nevada with track temperatures at 18°C, Russell capitalized on his fourth career pole position to lead the pack into Turn 1. Leclerc surged from fourth on the grid to second, making an aggressive bid to challenge the Mercedes driver.
Fernando Alonso gambled on soft tires but had to pit after just four laps, while Verstappen moved swiftly up the order, overtaking Pierre Gasly to secure fourth early on.
Behind the leaders, McLaren’s Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri finished sixth and seventh respectively. Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg claimed eighth, with Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez rounding out the top 10.
End of the Title Chase
Norris’s hopes to keep the title race alive hinged on a three-point swing over Verstappen, but the Dutchman’s consistent performance rendered the outcome inevitable.
As the dust settled in Las Vegas, Verstappen’s remarkable season came to a close, cementing his status as one of the greatest in Formula One history.
