Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ‘never thought’ he’d win four Formula One world titles

LAS VEGAS – Max Verstappen admitted he “never thought” he would win four world titles after wrapping up the 2024 Formula One championship under the Las Vegas lights on Nov 24.

His success ushered him into an elite club alongside Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (both seven-time champions), Juan Manuel Fangio (five), Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel (both four).

Of the six, only two have taken his first four consecutively: Verstappen and Germany’s Vettel.

Seven wins in the opening 10 races launched the Dutchman to this success, but he needed to overcome a mid-season run of 10 without a win before victory in a rain-hit race in Brazil set up his fourth title.

“At 17, I was just happy to be there and dreaming of potential victories and standing on the podium, just normal things that are already very difficult to achieve,” said the 27-year-old, whose fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was enough to guarantee the title with two races to spare.

“It was a very challenging season and for me also as a person at times it was very challenging and I had to be calm. In a way, I still prefer last season, I enjoyed it a lot, but I think this season it has taught me a lot of lessons.

“I am very proud of us as a team and in a way that makes it a very special and beautiful season. It’s been so competitive this time. A special season. A beautiful season.”

George Russell led all 50 laps to complete a dream weekend for Mercedes. He finished 7.313 seconds ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton for his second grand prix victory of the season and the third of his career. 

“It’s going to be a good party,” said Russell. “I haven’t been out all year – not once the whole season!

“I was planning on flying in a couple of hours, but I’m definitely not getting on that flight.

“I’m going to enjoy this evening with all my team here in Vegas. It’s been a dream of a weekend. I don’t know how we’ve been so quick, but I’m just riding this wave right now.”

Mercedes ended the weekend having swept all three practice sessions, pole, and the top two spots on the podium. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium.

Charles Leclerc was fourth in the other Ferrari, while Verstappen’s title rival Lando Norris of McLaren finished sixth. The other McLaren of Oscar Piastri, Nico Hulkenberg of Haas and RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez were seventh to 10th respectively.

Verstappen, meanwhile, ruled out speculation that he may leave Red Bull, the team who have nurtured his talent and taken him to the top of the sport.

He said: “We’ve been through a lot and this is special – but it will be a proper battle next year with a lot of cars involved, so I am going to enjoy this.

“For me I’m just very proud to be part of the team and we are now celebrating our fourth world title together. There’s definitely nothing on my mind, nothing else on my mind.”

Verstappen has been on top of the world championship in an unbroken run since the Spanish Grand Prix in 2022.

“It’s incredible, he’s done an amazing job,” said Red Bull team chief Christian Horner. “He’s been outstanding all year and we are just very proud of him.

“He’s won eight grands prix and the championship with two races to spare and you can’t ask for more than that. He’s only just turned 27 and he’s in the form of his life, so as long as we can keep giving him a decent car then he will keep delivering.”

Norris, who pushed Verstappen to the limit in the second half of the season, could not prolong the title race.

“Congrats to Max, as much as it hurts a little bit, saying congrats doesn’t hurt, but knowing the championship is 100 per cent over you always have a little hope inside,” said the Englishman.

“He drove an incredible season and when you have the quickest car, he dominated and when he didn’t, he was still there and always on my heels. He made my life tough, we made his tough at times, I’m sure but he drove a better season.” AFP, REUTERS