Verstappen pulls up next to F1 elite with his fourth title

Dutch driver seals championship under lights of Las Vegas

- KIERAN JACKSON

Max Verstappen claimed the 2024 Formula One drivers' title after finishing above closest challenger Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver, who started one spot ahead of Norris in fifth, finished the 50-lap race in the same position, while the McLaren driver came home in sixth. It means Verstappen cannot be caught with 60 points left on the table at the remaining two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

He joins Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel in winning four F1 world championships, with only Juan Manuel Fangio (five), Lewis Hamilton (seven) and Michael Schumacher (seven) ahead of the Dutchman now.

The 27-year-old also becomes only the fifth man to win four championships in a row. Only one driver, Schumacher, has won five on the spin. George Russell claimed the win in Vegas, leading home a Mercedes one-two ahead of Lewis Hamilton, with Carlos Sainz finishing third.

“Oh my god, what a season, four times!” Verstappen said over team radio. “Thank you, thank you to everyone. A little bit more difficult than last year but we pulled through, thank you so much guys. I never thought it was possible but thanks to you guys it is, thanks again.”