He had done it beneath the lights and the excess of the Strip but with nary a gamble or a risk, instead the same clinical execution that he has displayed all season was crucial in securing the championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Verstappen took only fifth place for Red Bull in a race that was won with consummate skill by Mercedes' George Russell but the world champion did exactly what he needed. It was a nerveless display of control that would make the casino owners wince, as he played precisely the hand he had to, then cashed out, while his title rival, McLaren's Lando Norris, could manage only sixth.
It was another textbook case of Verstappen making the most of the situation, as he has repeatedly done this season. A win was not really on the cards given how the Red Bull has struggled for pace here and the speed of both Ferrari and Mercedes. So he did enough to close out the title, leading by 63 points with only 60 left at the final two meetings in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
This second absorbing spectacle on the streets of Sin City confirmed that the track not only looks fantastic but delivers great racing too as Lewis Hamilton gave a superb comeback drive to claim second place from 10th on the grid, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished third and fourth. Russell's win was no mean feat but it was largely overshadowed by Verstappen's achievement and rightly so.
Denne historien er fra November 25, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra November 25, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Amorim asks for survival mode after Wolves loss
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United must adopt survival mode to end their miserable run after a fourth defeat in five Premier League matches dropped them to 14th, eight points above the relegation zone.
'We have to try' Guardiola calls for January signings after Everton draw
Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City board will discuss new signings for the January transfer window this week, the manager said after his team dropped another two points in the 1-1 draw with Everton.
Arteta backs Martinelli to step up after Saka injury
Mikel Arteta is hoping Gabriel Martinelli can help to fill the void created by Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury, with the England forward likely to miss key fixtures including the north London derby next month.
Wilson and Muniz pounce late to cast doubt on Chelsea's title credentials
Perhaps there will be some debate around Fulham's equaliser after 82 minutes of this 2-1 derby win for Marco Silva's team at Stamford Bridge.
Jones and Salah clear path at the top for Liverpool
Liverpool have kicked off at 8pm on a Boxing Day twice in their history.
Tonali helps Newcastle ease past 10-man Villa
Sandro Tonali has brought Newcastle an abundance of gifts but perhaps foremost among them is the rare ability to slow games down that offers Eddie Howe's high-intensity team the sort of invaluable control they have so often lacked in recent months.
Elanga takes Forest third and deepens Postecoglou's pain
The mist rolled in with such increasing density from the Trent that eventually it was difficult to make out which Tottenham player was running down which blind alley. But what is crystal clear is Nottingham Forest's momentum which, after Anthony Elanga's third goal in successive games, has lifted them into third place in the Premier League.
Haaland's wasted spot-kick adds to Guardiola's gloom
Manchester City's plight is their individual kind of déjà vu nightmare.
Fabianski carried off but Bowen edges out Juric's new Saints
If we take the view that Southampton are doomed - as a reminder, no club has ever stayed in the Premier League with such a lowly points tally at this stage of the season - then small positives must be sought wherever possible for the beleaguered regulars at St Mary's.
'Rubbish game' but Guéhi content with valuable point
The visiting captain, Marc Guéhi, branded Crystal Palace's goalless draw with Bournemouth a \"rubbish game\" and \"boring for the neutral\".
