Max Verstappen takes fourth Formula 1 world title in Las Vegas

Max Verstappen has won his fourth consecutive Formula 1 world title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Red Bull driver finished fifth late Saturday evening in Las Vegas and, with two race weekends to go, cannot be overtaken in the World Championship standings. Rival Lando Norris had to finish ahead of Verstappen in Las Vegas to still have a chance at the title but finished sixth. George Russell in the Mercedes won the race.

Verstappen became world champion for the first time in 2021 by beating seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in the final race. In the following two seasons, the Limburg native was by far the best.

Verstappen started the race with a 62-point lead in the championship over Norris. If he finished ahead of the Briton from McLaren in Las Vegas, he knew he had secured the world title. On the starting grid, the young Red Bull driver was just ahead of Norris in fifth place. He took no risks at the start and kept Norris behind him. Mercedes driver George Russell had a good start from pole and Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari went to second place.

Ten seconds margin

The Dutchman moved up to second place behind Russell in the following laps by passing the Ferraris of Leclerc and Carlos Sainz after the first pit stops. Norris stayed behind Verstappen for almost the entire race.

Lewis Hamilton, who had started tenth due to a failed qualifying, fought his way to the front. In the second half of the race, after the second pit stop, the British Mercedes driver was right behind Verstappen and also overtook him. The Red Bull driver also had to overtake Sainz and Leclerc, but his lead over Norris was around 10 seconds. Norris even made an additional pit stop to take the point for the fastest lap.

"What a season"

Hamilton tried to get close to teammate Russell, but he did not let the victory in Las Vegas, his second of the season, slip away. The biggest victory, however, was for Verstappen, who after a strong start to the season and a difficult second half, secured a hard-fought fourth world title.

"What a season," Verstappen responded over the radio to his team, whom he thanked. "This was more difficult than last year, but we gave it our all. I never thought this was possible."