Max Verstappen Crowned Four-Time World Champion Under the Neon Lights of Las Vegas as Mercedes Dominates
The 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix delivered all the spectacle Formula 1 fans hoped for, as Max Verstappen officially secured his fourth drivers’ world championship title amidst a dazzling display on the iconic streets of Las Vegas. Yet, the race itself belonged to Mercedes, with George Russell leading home a dominant one-two finish ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen’s Crown Moment
Verstappen entered the weekend knowing he only needed to finish ahead of Lando Norris to claim the championship with two races to spare. While the Dutchman’s Red Bull wasn’t quite the race-winning machine fans have come to expect, his calculated drive to fifth—one position ahead of Norris—was enough to seal the deal. With a 63-point lead and only 60 points left on the table, Verstappen is now a four-time F1 world champion.
Despite a challenging race marked by tire struggles and pressure from the Ferraris, Verstappen kept his cool. After briefly running as high as second, he dropped back to fifth but opted not to aggressively defend his position, prioritizing the bigger picture: the championship. Verstappen’s title, his fourth in just five years, further cements his legacy as one of the sport’s modern greats.
Russell Shined in the Desert
While Verstappen celebrated the championship, George Russell was busy putting in a flawless performance. Starting from pole, Russell controlled the race from the very first lap, managing his tires masterfully to fend off early challenges from Ferrari and late pressure from Hamilton. His victory marked his third career win and second official victory of the season, following his disqualification in Belgium earlier this year.
Hamilton, starting from 10th on the grid, delivered a brilliant recovery drive to claim second place, finishing just 7.3 seconds behind Russell. His charge included bold overtakes on the likes of Verstappen, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, and Charles Leclerc. The result gave Mercedes its first one-two finish since the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix and its fourth victory in what has been an up-and-down season for the Silver Arrows.
Ferrari Fights Back
Ferrari showed strong pace throughout the weekend, with both Leclerc and Sainz initially appearing to challenge Russell for the win. However, graining on their tires in the cooler desert temperatures saw their early promise fade. Both Ferraris dropped back after their first pit stops, allowing Verstappen to move into third.
The team redeemed itself in the second half of the race, with Sainz and Leclerc finding a second wind on fresh hard tires. Both drivers passed Verstappen in the closing stages—Sainz on lap 41 and Leclerc on lap 46—reclaiming fourth and fifth positions. Despite the late surge, Ferrari was left to rue missed opportunities, particularly Sainz’s botched pit entry that allowed Hamilton to undercut them earlier in the race and Sainz and Leclerc at odds over team orders, with Sainz ultimately ignoring instructions and overtaking his teammate, thus losing time to Hamilton.
Norris’ Title Hopes Fade
For Lando Norris, the Las Vegas Grand Prix marked the end of his slim championship aspirations. Starting the race as Verstappen’s only remaining rival, Norris needed a strong result to keep the title fight alive. However, McLaren struggled with tire graining throughout the race, leaving Norris unable to compete at the front.
After a promising start from third on the grid, Norris dropped back to sixth, though he salvaged the fastest lap point with a late stop for soft tires. With just two races remaining, Norris will now focus on consolidating second in the standings and leading McLaren’s charge in the constructors’ championship.
Standout Performances and Key Moments
- Oscar Piastri finished seventh for McLaren, following a penalty-laden race that included a 10-second penalty for a collision with Yuki Tsunoda. Despite the setback, Piastri demonstrated consistent pace and contributed valuable points to McLaren’s constructors’ tally.
- Nico Hulkenberg delivered a standout performance for Haas, finishing eighth. His points were instrumental in helping Haas leapfrog Alpine in the constructors’ standings, especially after Pierre Gasly’s engine failure ended Alpine’s hopes for the weekend.
- Yuki Tsunoda continued his strong form with a ninth-place finish, keeping RB competitive in the fight for sixth in the constructors’ championship.
- Sergio Perez, rounding out the top ten, narrowly beat Fernando Alonso to the final point. It was another tough outing for the Aston Martin driver, who has struggled to replicate his early-season form.
Full results of race here.
Mercedes’ Season Comes Full Circle
The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix symbolized a turnaround for Mercedes. After enduring a roller-coaster season, Russell and Hamilton’s one-two finish showcased the team’s ability to deliver when it matters most. With Ferrari-bound Hamilton in his final races with Mercedes, this result serves as a reminder of his skillset and determination.
Quotes From The Top Performers
First and foremost, an elated Verstappen spoke over team radio as the race concluded to celebrate his title sealing drive with the Red Bull team:
“Oh my god what a season! Four times, four times!” — “We pulled through and gave it all.”
“I never thought this was possible, but thanks to you guys it was. So thanks again.”
Race winner Russell, expressed his joy and upcoming celebration plans in Vegas:
“I was planning on flying in a couple of hours but I’m definitely not getting on that flight and going to enjoy this evening with all my team, it’s been a dream of a weekend, I don’t know how we’ve been this quick but I’m riding the wave right now.”
“Vegas is just a crazy, crazy place and when you’re driving with all of this in the background, it’s such a … I can’t even describe this place, so to get victory here, pole position and dominant weekend – a one-two with Lewis as well, we couldn’t have chosen a better place to make this happen.”
Second place finisher Hamilton spoke on his race and regretted not qualifying higher up the grid:
“A big congratulations to Max, winning the championship with two races to go. If I had done my job yesterday, it would’ve been a breeze today, but it’s OK, I had fun coming from the back from 10th.”
Looking Ahead
As the championship heads to the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the focus now shifts to the battles for second place in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. Verstappen may have secured his title, but the fight for the Constructors Championship spot is far from over.
The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix was a spectacle that perfectly encapsulated the drama and unpredictability of F1. Under the neon lights of the Strip, history was made, and now the season is down to the exciting final two races.
