Max Verstappen clinches fourth F1 crown amidst Mercedes dominance in Las Vegas.
On a crisp Saturday evening under the neon glow of Las Vegas, Max Verstappen secured his fourth Formula 1 world championship with a composed drive to fifth place, as Mercedes claimed a dramatic one-two finish courtesy of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
The 27-year-old Dutchman needed only to finish ahead of his closest rival, Lando Norris, to seal the title. A clean start ensured he maintained position into Turn 1, and he gradually extended his lead over the McLaren driver as the race unfolded.
While Verstappen briefly held a podium position after the second round of pit stops, he sensibly avoided an unnecessary battle when Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc loomed large in his mirrors during the closing laps.
Both Scuderia drivers managed to slip past, but Verstappen’s focus remained firmly on the championship prize rather than the race result.
At the sharp end of the grid, George Russell delivered a masterclass in race management. Starting from pole, the Brit deftly navigated the slippery conditions and kept an aggressive Leclerc at bay during the opening laps. Leclerc’s early push led to tyre degradation, allowing Russell to take control of the race.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton staged an impressive recovery drive. After a disappointing qualifying session that left him languishing in 10th, the seven-time world champion scythed through the field to slot in behind his teammate. Mercedes’ triumph marked their first victory since the Belgian Grand Prix in July, a much-needed boost for the Silver Arrows.
Lando Norris snatched the fastest lap in the race’s dying moments, a small consolation as his championship hopes officially came to an end. His sixth-place finish, coupled with teammate Oscar Piastri’s seventh, reinforced McLaren’s strong season, though Piastri’s performance was marred by a time penalty for a false start.
Further down the grid, Nico Hulkenberg played a vital role in Haas’ ongoing battle for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship. The German overtook Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull late in the race to score valuable points. In contrast, Alpine suffered heartbreak as Pierre Gasly was forced to retire with technical issues, after starting on the second row of the grid.
Sergio Perez rounded out the top 10, adding a solitary point to Red Bull’s tally and denying Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Kevin Magnussen came home 12th after a bold one-stop strategy, fending off Zhou Guanyu and Williams’ Franco Colapinto, who recovered admirably after starting from the pit lane following a spectacular qualifying crash.
The midfield pack saw its fair share of drama, with Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Liam Lawson (Red Bull), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), and Valtteri Bottas (Kick Sauber) crossing the line as the final classified finishers. Williams’ Alex Albon joined Gasly on the sidelines, both drivers succumbing to mechanical woes.
When Verstappen returned to parc fermé, the celebrations were palpable. The Dutchman’s fourth consecutive championship places him in rarified air, joining an illustrious list of Formula 1 legends.
With Red Bull’s dominance potentially slowing down, one can only wonder – how many more records will Verstappen break before he’s done?
Photo Credits: Formula One Content Pool
Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!
