Max Verstappen wins fourth consecutive F1 championship

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Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after winning his fourth consecutive Formula One championship [Red Bull, Instagram]

Red Bull's Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Formula One world championship during the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 24, 2024.

The 27-year-old Dutchman's fifth-place finish in a race won by Mercedes' George Russell was enough to cement his status among the sport's greats.

Driving with poise under the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, Verstappen finished ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris, who needed to outscore him by three points to keep the title race alive.

Four time world champion!!! A season with a lot of challenges, but we worked hard as a team. I am very proud of us ? This would never have been possible without all the dedication and effort of everyone at @redbullracing ? A huge thank you to all involved for this... pic.twitter.com/mnekjbdC3a - Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) November 24, 2024

Russell finished over seven seconds ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton, with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz taking third. Norris took the extra point for the fastest lap, but Verstappen's consistent brilliance throughout the season proved unmatchable.

The Dutchman joins an elite group of drivers with four titles, including legends like Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Juan Manuel Fangio..

"It's been a long season. It started off amazingly, we were cruising, and then we had a tough run. To stand here now as a four-time champion is just incredible. It's been a challenging season, but we've handled it well as a team," " said Verstappen, reflecting on his journey.

Verstappen's dominance this season began with seven wins in the first 10 races, but a mid-season slump of 10 winless outings tested his resilience. A pivotal victory in a rain-soaked Brazil Grand Prix set him up for glory in Las Vegas, where he became only the sixth driver in F1 history to reach the four-title mark.