By James Broughton, November 25, 2024
Max Verstappen clinched his fourth World Championship after finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, one place ahead of Lando Norris. Norris needed to finish ahead of Verstappen to keep his extremely slim championship hopes alive, but it was not to be. For Verstappen, the 2024 season was one of managing decline. Following Adrian Newey’s resignation, Red Bull’s performance coincidentally began to taper off. Despite starting the season with a commanding 1.5-second advantage in the first race, Verstappen dominated early, securing seven victories with the first half of the season not yet completed. However, a noticeable decline set in around the fifth race of the season.
As the year progressed, multiple drivers claimed victories, with rival teams exploiting track-specific advantages. However, one team emerged with the fastest overall car on the grid: McLaren. With the younges driver pairing, McLaren’s potential was undeniable. Lando Norris assumed the role of lead driver, accumulating the most points within the team. However, McLaren’s failure to prioritize Norris over his teammate, Oscar Piastri, proved costly. Despite Norris holding a clear points advantage, the team maintained an equal-status policy, which hindered their championship campaign.
While Norris’s speed and commitment were never in question, he struggled to match Verstappen’s consistency and racecraft. For much of the season, Verstappen often had the second- or third-fastest car on the grid, yet he capitalized on every opportunity. In contrast, Norris let crucial chances slip away, and thus the championship eluded him. The turning point came at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Verstappen delivered a masterclass drive, effectively ending Norris’s faint hopes of a title challenge.
How The Las Vegas Grand Prix Unfolded:
The race was marked by a strong performance from Mercedes, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton securing a one-two finish. Russell’s victory marked Mercedes’ first since the Belgian Grand Prix in July. Verstappen, known for his aggressive driving style, opted for a more conservative approach in this race. By holding his position and gradually pulling away from Norris, he ensured a safe margin and clinched the title.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc made late charges, overtaking Verstappen in the final laps to secure podium positions.Lando Norris’s sixth-place finish, despite setting the fastest lap, mathematically eliminated him from the championship contention.
The race also had significant implications for the constructors’ championship. Haas and Alpine were locked in a tight battle for the sixth position, with Nico Hulkenberg’s strong performance crucial for Haas. The race was not without its share of drama. Pierre Gasly’s retirement due to technical issues and Alex Albon’s retirement from Williams added to the excitement.
As Verstappen celebrated his historic achievement, he joined an elite group of four-time world champions in Formula 1 history.
