Calm Verstappen plays winning hand to clinch title on the Strip

As the fireworks exploded over the Las Vegas skyline in honour of Max Verstappen's coronation as a four-time Formula One world champion, the Dutchman, visibly moved by securing what was his toughest title yet, allowed himself a long breath and a smile to take in what is a remarkable achievement.

- Giles Richards

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.