Las Vegas Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Wins 2024 F1 World Championship
His fourth straight champion win after finishing fifth, ahead of rival Lando Norris – along with George Russell took home the victory for Mercedes-AMG.
Words by Damian Nicholas
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Max Verstappen's journey at the Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix faced some challenges right from the start, as Red Bull had to make some unexpected adjustments to the RB20’s rear wing. After a series of average practice sessions that left fans concerned about the outcome, Verstappen managed to surprise everyone during qualifying, securing a P5 position for the Saturday night race. Ultimately, he did what was necessary to clinch his fourth F1 World Championship, finishing in fifth place. George Russell took home the victory for Mercedes-AMG.
Drivers encountered difficulties at the race's start, grappling with slightly warmer temperatures compared to Friday's qualifying. Though everyone aimed to capitalize on their rivals' struggles, it became clear that grip levels were quite similar across the board. By the end of the first lap, Russell held onto his pole position, while championship contenders Lando Norris and Verstappen retained their starting spots in fifth and sixth.
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The early pit stops began with Carlos Sainz on lap 11, and it soon became apparent that most drivers were opting for a one-stop strategy, although some anticipated the possibility of needing a two-stop approach if a yellow flag situation arose. Following the pit stops, Russell maintained a strong lead, with Charles Leclerc in second and Norris close behind in third. Verstappen faced a slower pit stop on lap 28, which placed him ahead of Lewis Hamilton but behind Norris.
Hamilton made a bold move on lap 32, seizing the opportunity from the pit changes to claim second place, setting up a Mercedes one-two with only 17 laps remaining. As the race progressed, Hamilton closed in on Russell, trailing by just 5.5 seconds with seven laps to go.
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In the final laps of the race, Verstappen engaged in a fierce battle with both Ferrari drivers, which ultimately shifted him from third to fifth position. Despite this, the mood in the Red Bull Racing camp remained upbeat, as they celebrated Verstappen’s achievement and his fourth title within just ten seasons. This impressive milestone places him alongside F1 legends like Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost.
The Formula 1 madness now heads to the Middle East, where they will wrap up the 2024 season with the season finale in Abu Dhabi on December 8.
Dec 03, 2024
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