Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has just joined some very elite company at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen knew heading into the race in Las Vegas that he needed to finish within two points of closest rival Lando Norris to set up an evening of celebrations in Sin City.
Red Bull had boxes of M4X-styled t-shirts ready and waiting in the garage for just that occasion and the Dutchman didn’t disappoint.
He now joins an elite group of drivers including Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel who have won fourth consecutive titles.
Although he could only qualify P5, importantly, that meant Verstappen had Norris in his wing mirrors going into turn one.
While there was a change of position ahead of him going into the first corner, Verstappen kept his closest rival behind him and ultimately, McLaren didn’t have the pace to ever challenge him during the Grand Prix.
Verstappen may have only finished 5th, with Hamilton the only man to overtake him during the race as Mercedes went on to secure a one-two finish, but it was enough to be crowned the 2024 F1 world championship.
Jenson Button – one-time champion himself – was speaking on Sky Sports F1 and shared why he was so impressed with the Dutchman this year.
Hamilton quickly paid tribute to Verstappen and his fellow British legend was quick to heap praise on the 27-year-old.
Jenson Button left so impressed by Max Verstappen after winning the 2024 F1 championship
Talking about the Dutchman’s latest championship victory, Button said: “This year’s been a very different year for you guys.
“Obviously, as Danica [Patrick] mentioned before, you’ve had the dip and in that moment for a driver, it’s unbelievably difficult mentally because everything apart from winning is a failure for a racing driver.
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“What’s impressed me the most is how you guys [Christian Horner and Gianpiero Lambiase, as well as the whole Red Bull team] and how he’s come out of that.
“The last two races we’ve had are for me two of the best races that I’ve seen Max drive because he knows what he has to do from the first lap to the last lap.
“There were flashes that it maybe wasn’t going in that direction and there were a few little mistakes here and there which we all do, but it feels like the last couple of races he’s been confident within himself.”
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This season has been incredibly exciting and George Russell’s victory means for the first time in history, seven drivers have now won multiple Grand Prix for the first time in F1.
Red Bull haven’t been competitive throughout the year but benefitted from being much quicker off the mark than their rivals.
However, once McLaren and Ferrari took steps forward, they were unable to match them.
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This only highlights Verstappen’s incredible ability and how well he’s managed every race he’s taken part in.
Verstappen was imperious in Sao Paulo and that took the wind out of Norris’ sails, forcing him to admit that the title was out of reach.
He needed to win in Las Vegas and he didn’t have the car to deliver that, but McLaren or a revamped Ferrari line-up are likely to be the Dutchman’s closest rivals in 2025.
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