Max Verstappen admitted he "never thought" he would win four world titles after wrapping up the 2024 Formula One championship under the Las Vegas lights on Nov 24.
His success ushered him into an elite club alongside Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (both seven-time champions), Juan Manuel Fangio (five), Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel (both four).
Of the six, only two have taken his first four consecutively: Verstappen and Germany's Vettel.
Seven wins in the opening 10 races launched the Dutchman to this success, but he needed to overcome a mid-season run of 10 without a win before victory in a rain-hit race in Brazil set up his fourth title.
"At 17, I was just happy to be there and dreaming of potential victories and standing on the podium, just normal things that are already very difficult to achieve," said the 27-year-old, whose fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was enough to guarantee the title with two races to spare.
Denne historien er fra November 25, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 25, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
AN ADDS CHINA MASTERS TO OLYMPIC CROWN
Fourth 2024 title cements her world No. 1 status; men's No. 3 Antonsen gets his fifth
The Taiwanese quintet's almost three-hour gig saw each member having his moment at the comeback show
2024 ENERGY IMMINENT LIVE IN SINGAPORE
Matcha shortage in Japan hits Singapore
Some shops here have raised prices on matcha products by 10 to 15 per cent since mid-October
Yan Huichang dazzles in guest conductor stint with SCO
Every concert needs to be special. That seems to be the credo of Cultural Medallion recipient Yan Huichang, who is the artistic director and principal conductor for life of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO).
Iran director in exile says 'bittersweet' to represent Germany at Oscars
Forced to flee Iran, dissident director Mohammad Rasoulof says it is bittersweet that his latest movie will contend at the Oscars under the banner of another country.
Silent films get new reel at London haven
The black-and-white silent movie flickered into life as the pianist started up with a dramatic flourish.
Strong start for Wicked, Gladiator II in box-office battle
Musical adaptation Wicked and action epic Gladiator II generated a combined US$25.7 million (S$34.6 million) from early screenings in America and Canada, setting off the biggest box-office battle since \"Barbenheimer\" - the 2023 movie phenomenon that saw Barbie and Oppenheimer open on the same day.
Canada's PM Justin Trudeau spotted dancing at Taylor Swift concert in Toronto
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right) shook it off at American superstar Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto, Canada.
Best New Director nod for Singaporean film-maker Chiang Wei Liang
Golden Horse Awards 2024
Thinking of job options for my grown-up child with special needs
The goal does not always have to be employment. What is more important is participating in the world
