Formel 1 in Las Vegas
Verstappen is world champion for the fourth time: “Oh, my God”
He did it: Max Verstappen is Formula 1 champion again. The Dutchman takes advantage of the first opportunity and secures his fourth title in a row – in the show city par excellence.
Las Vegas celebrated the new world champion on the huge ball “The Sphere”, and Max Verstappen received his first congratulations in the car. “Oh, my God. What a season,” the now four-time Formula 1 champion radioed back: “I didn’t think it was possible.”
The 27-year-old Dutchman took advantage of his first title opportunity and clinched his fourth World Championship title in a row in the glittering metropolis. Verstappen drove in a controlled manner at all times, took no risks and secured the drivers’ world championship early with fifth place. “Today was a tactical masterpiece,” emphasized Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko: “He brought the car home in a really big way.”
Verstappen’s rival Norris only comes in sixth
Mercedes celebrated a surprising double success: George Russell won ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who was one of the first to congratulate Verstappen. Carlos Sainz came third in the Ferrari ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen’s challenger Lando Norris, who definitely should have crossed the finish line ahead of the defending champion and caught up with at least three points to keep the title fight alive, couldn’t get past sixth place in the McLaren. Verstappen can no longer be caught in the remaining Grand Prix on the next two weekends in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
“You can be incredibly proud. That was a phenomenal achievement,” said team boss Christian Horner before Verstappen was chauffeured to the world championship honors with his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase. “We are the Champions” by Queen was booming from the speakers along the route.
With his fourth triumph, Verstappen drew level on the all-time best list with Sebastian Vettel, who won the drivers’ championship four times in a row with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, and the Frenchman Alain Prost. Only the two record world champions Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton with seven each and the Argentinian Juan-Manuel Fangio with five have more world titles. “He is a true great in this sport and still has so much ahead of him in his impressive career,” said Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali, congratulating the old and new champion.
For the Formula 1 bosses, the dream scenario became reality with the decision in the third to last race of the season. The drivers were introduced in Vegas style with boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer. Verstappen, not a fan of the big show, politely waved to the enthusiastic fans in the grandstand seats, some of which were outrageously expensive, as he walked across the red carpet. The fact that Formula 1 has long since arrived in the USA was also demonstrated by the more than 300,000 spectators on the three Grand Prix days.
How Michael Schumacher became Formula 1 world champion for the first time
The presentation of the new Formula 1 car from Benetton in February 1994. Driver number one is Michael Schumacher (front left), the teammates are JJ Letho (right) and Jos Verstappen, the father of the reigning world champion Max Verstappen. With the start of his fourth Formula 1 season, Schumacher finally has one of the fastest cars in the racing circuit at his disposal
© Imago Images
Hollywood stars on the Formula 1 starting grid
And the two World Cup rivals could hardly have done better for the excitement factor: the Dutchman was in fifth place on the starting grid, Norris in sixth. Verstappen and Norris drove their cars right next to each other on the starting grid, past all the stars like Hollywood greats Jared Leto, Sylvester Stallone and Michael Douglas or singers like Axl Rose and sports aces like Olympic sprint champion Noah Lyles.
Boyz II Men performed the American anthem relatively cautiously before the music only played on the asphalt, especially between Verstappen and Norris. The Brit quickly realized that he had no chance against Verstappen this time.
Because in a turbulent year for the team from Austria, there was only one constant at Red Bull: Verstappen. “He never lost sight of his goal of becoming world champion,” said company managing director Oliver Mintzlaff before the race. “It was of course a tough year,” said Horner, who was involved in a scandal right at the beginning of the season due to allegations made by an employee. In addition, there were public power struggles in which Verstappen’s father Jos got involved and verbally fired against Horner.
His son wasn’t particularly bothered by the many sideshows. The car, which was weak after seven victories in the first ten races, was more of a problem for him. He remained without a win in ten Grands Prix before he returned pre-world champion in the rain in Brazil and gave himself the chance to win the title in Vegas.
Verstappen’s first attack after a cautious start
At the start on the street circuit, Verstappen and Norris did not take any damage. It was close, but neither of them attacked. Leclerc was different, moving up two places and lining up behind pole-setter Russell. The Brit had no problems defending his starting position. We went into and through the first lap without any accidents.
Verstappen quickly put distance between himself and Norris and was never really in danger again after that. At times the Dutchman was even in second place behind Russell. Norris languished in sixth place.
As the competition pushed from behind, the command post reminded Verstappen of the big goal and warned against unnecessary skirmishes. “Yes, yes, I’m driving my race,” Verstappen radioed back.
Two weeks after his famous drive from 17th place on the grid to victory in São Paulo, Verstappen didn’t dare to take any adventures this time. When Sainz overtook him, he offered no resistance, the same with Leclerc. It was just a matter of staying ahead of Norris – that was no longer a big challenge in this race.
DPA
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