F1 2024: Max Verstappen Clinches Fourth Title, George Russell Shines in Las Vegas

The 2024 Formula 1 season has been nothing short of spectacular, culminating in an epic showdown at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive F1 world championship with a fifth-place finish, while George Russell led Mercedes to a one-two finish. In this article, we’ll explore the highlights of the race, the current F1 standings, and what this means for the constructors’ championship.

Max Verstappen: Four-Time F1 World Champion

Max Verstappen’s journey to his fourth world championship was a testament to his skill and consistency. The Dutch driver entered the Las Vegas Grand Prix needing to finish ahead of his title rival, Lando Norris, to secure the championship. Verstappen did just that, finishing fifth and extending his lead to an unassailable 63 points with two races remaining.

“It’s been a long season and we started off amazing,” Verstappen said after the race. “It was almost cruising, then we had a tough run. But as a team, we kept it together, we kept working on improvements. I’m incredibly proud of everyone for what they’ve done for me and to stand here as a four-time world champion is something I never thought was possible.”

George Russell Shines in Las Vegas

While Verstappen celebrated his championship, George Russell delivered a stellar performance to win the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Starting from pole position, Russell expertly managed the race, keeping Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at bay and eventually leading Mercedes to their first victory since the Belgian Grand Prix in July.

Russell’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton, also impressed by recovering from a tenth-place start to finish second, securing a Mercedes one-two. “It’s a dream of a weekend,” Russell said. “This win feels very special, and I’m overjoyed to have helped the team achieve this result.”

Race Highlights and Key Moments

The Las Vegas Grand Prix was packed with action from start to finish. Here are some of the key moments:

• Lap 1: George Russell maintained his lead from pole position, while Charles Leclerc moved up to second place.
• Lap 4: Verstappen overtook Pierre Gasly for fourth place, while Leclerc’s aggressive driving caused early tire troubles.
• Lap 10: Leclerc pitted early to swap medium tires for hards, losing positions to Sainz and Verstappen.
• Lap 28: Verstappen and Hamilton made their second pit stops, rejoining the race with fresh hard tires.
• Lap 33: Hamilton overtook Verstappen for fourth place with a DRS-assisted move.
• Lap 50: Russell crossed the finish line first, followed by Hamilton, Sainz, Leclerc, and Verstappen.

Constructors’ Championship Standings

The Las Vegas Grand Prix also had significant implications for the constructors’ championship. Mercedes’ one-two finish boosted their points tally, but Red Bull Racing remains a formidable force. Here are the updated constructors’ standings:

• 1. Red Bull Racing: 688 points
• 2. Mercedes: 620 points
• 3. Ferrari: 580 points
• 4. McLaren: 540 points
• 5. Alpine: 340 points

Lando Norris Reflects on the Season

Lando Norris, who had an impressive season with McLaren, conceded that even a perfect season might not have been enough to beat Verstappen. “I’m very proud of the whole team for putting up the fight for so long,” Norris said. “But Red Bull has been too strong. Next year, we’ll go into the season with a car we think we can win a championship with from round one.”

Norris secured the fastest lap point in Las Vegas, but his hopes for the drivers’ title ended as Verstappen finished ahead of him. McLaren’s focus now shifts to securing the constructors’ title, with Norris optimistic about their prospects in 2025.

Formula 1 Standings and Key Players

With Verstappen crowned champion, the drivers’ standings see significant movement. Here are the top drivers in the 2024 F1 standings:

• 1. Max Verstappen: 402 points
• 2. Lando Norris: 339 points
• 3. Lewis Hamilton: 310 points
• 4. George Russell: 290 points
• 5. Charles Leclerc: 275 points

Verstappen joins the elite club of F1 world champions with four titles, alongside legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton. His dominance this season reaffirms his status as one of the greatest drivers in the sport.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As the 2024 season draws to a close, all eyes are on the final two races and the potential for dramatic finishes. Teams are already preparing for the 2025 season, with McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes aiming to challenge Red Bull’s supremacy.

Verstappen’s target for 2025 will be to emulate Schumacher by winning five consecutive championships, while rivals like Norris and Russell will be eager to dethrone him. The upcoming season promises to be an exciting chapter in Formula 1 history.

Conclusion

The 2024 Formula 1 season has been a thrilling journey, culminating in Max Verstappen’s fourth world championship and an impressive performance by George Russell in Las Vegas. With the constructors’ championship still up for grabs and exciting prospects for 2025, fans can look forward to more high-octane action and intense competition.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on Formula 1 standings, race results, and news on your favorite drivers and teams as we gear up for another electrifying season.