Max Verstappen wins fourth consecutive title formula one championship Finished fifth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday night.
Verstappen only needs to finish ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris to give Red Bull a fourth consecutive drivers’ title. The Dutchman started in fifth place but had moved up to second by lap 10 of the street circuit, which included the famous Las Vegas Strip.
Norris had to score at least three more points than Verstappen to prolong the title race, ultimately finishing sixth. Verstappen only had to finish better than Norris to win the title, which he did with two races left in the season.
He finished 63 points ahead of Norris with two games remaining in the season.
“Max Verstappen, you are a four-time world champion,” team principal Christian Horner said on the radio. “This is an extraordinary, extraordinary achievement. You can be extremely proud of yourself, as we are.”
Verstappen, the sixth driver in F1 history to win at least four championships, sounded unusually emotional on the radio.
“Man, what a season. Four times. Thank you, thank you,” he said. “We gave it our all.”
Meanwhile, George Russell won the race, followed by Lewis Hamilton, as the Mercedes driver took a 1-2 sweep for the first time since 2022. Two weeks after a demoralizing race in Brazil, starting 10th, he clinched his title.
The pair crossed the finish line under a checkered flag waved by actor Sylvester Stallone.
Carlos Sainz Jr. finished third for Ferrari, with the race for the constructors’ title remaining between leaders McLaren and Ferrari. His teammate Charles Leclerc was fourth. Red Bull has won the title the past two seasons, earning roughly $150 million in prize money, but has slipped to third in the standings.
But the title race looks set to begin at next month’s season finale in Abu Dhabi. McLaren leads Ferrari by 24 points heading into this weekend’s race in Qatar after Norris and Oscar Piastri finished sixth and seventh in Las Vegas.
“Max deserves to win this award. He had a better season than I did and he deserves it more than anyone,” Norris said. “Max has no weaknesses. When he has the best car, he dominates, and when he doesn’t have the best car, he’s still there.”
Verstappen, meanwhile, beat Norris with ease, in a season in which the McLaren driver has challenged Norris more than Verstappen has faced since his first title in 2021 .
“To stand here as a four-time world champion is something I never imagined,” Verstappen told actor Terry Crews, who led a podium press conference in front of Bellagio’s famous fountain.
“It was a very challenging season and I had to stay calm. I think this season taught me a lot of lessons and we handled it well as a team, so of course it made it a very special and beautiful season.”
Verstappen, 27, won 19 races last year. He started the season well but went on a long winless stretch from June to Brazil two weeks ago, recording just eight wins, his fewest since 2020.
Verstappen asked what time it was at the Bellagio, noting that he was in Las Vegas and “I’m thirsty.” A champagne celebration awaited him.
Meanwhile, competition winner Russell said he would skip his scheduled flight home to celebrate his win with actor Cruise. He also twice had to sit on the podium to wipe champagne from his eyes.
When Red Bull urged Verstappen over the team radio to be patient, Verstappen stayed in third with about 20 laps remaining and didn’t push too hard.
“Max, don’t forget our goal today, okay?” he was told.
Verstappen was not interested in taking any instructions.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m running my game,” he replied.
When he later saw the Ferrari driver behind him, he asked for instructions because of the implications for the constructors’ championship.
“Do you want me to try to stop them or what?” Verstappen asked Sainz and Leclerc.
“I think you should, yes,” Red Bull told Verstappen.
He couldn’t stop them, but it made no difference as his season was dominant enough to rival former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel as the organization’s four-time champion.
This is the second year of the event after it was held for the first time last year. A bit of a disaster For months, locals have been angry about ongoing construction, traffic detours and delays, a lack of access to many local businesses, shameless price gouging by the tourism industry and LVGP ticketing and subsequent easing of policies. Nearly destroyed Sainz Ferrari’s valve cover A few minutes into your first practice session.
it Maintenance was delayed for several hours. Fans were kicked off the track and F1’s training continued until 4am – from which point it is legally required to reopen its streets to the public.
This year Far less busy, Part of that is because all the infrastructure issues happened a year ago, and last year’s game was so exciting. Despite the speed bumps, the actual run of the race was one of the best of the F1 season.
Russell takes pole position ahead of SainzHe was hoping for redemption after last year’s valve cover fiasco. Since his car was damaged in the accident, he had to accept the penalty.
“After last year I hope Vegas can give me something, but I will be on the podium,” Sainz said. “I checked every manhole and avoided them this time.”
The race was F1’s final stop in the United States, where its popularity has exploded over the past five years. Three games in Miami; Austin, Texas; and Las Vegas more than any other country.
After the game, F1 expected to announce next week it will expand grid to 11 teams to make room for U.S. teams backed by General Motors’ Cadillac brand. The team was originally formed by Michael Andretti, but his application for expansion failed to gain approval from F1.
Andretti has since turned over his stake to Indiana businessman Dan Torres and Los Angeles Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter. They will manage the Cadillac F1 team, which may join the circuit in 2026.
Team USA’s announcement was not made over the weekend so as not to take away from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which is a showcase for Liberty Media’s portfolio.
The three-day race attracted 306,000 fans.
