Max Verstappen secured his fourth world championship title with a steady fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday night. The event saw Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton claim a remarkable one-two victory, with Russell taking the top spot.
Entering the 50-lap race, Verstappen needed only to maintain his position ahead of Lando Norris to clinch the championship. He successfully accomplished this by starting strong and gradually increasing the gap from Norris in his McLaren. Following two rounds of pit stops, Verstappen briefly held a podium position but chose to prioritize his championship standing over battling with the Ferrari drivers, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who overtook him in the race’s closing laps.
Meanwhile, Russell showcased exceptional skill in navigating the challenging conditions of the race, containing an aggressive Leclerc in the early stages, which ultimately led to tire issues for the Ferrari driver. Hamilton, starting from 10th after a difficult qualifying session, made an impressive comeback to support his teammate Russell, marking Mercedes’ first victory since the Belgian Grand Prix in July.
This race highlighted not only Verstappen’s dominance in securing his title but also Mercedes’ resurgence in performance, suggesting an exciting future for the team as they regain competitiveness. Overall, it was a thrilling evening for Formula 1 fans, with key players demonstrating resilience and strategy on a high-stakes stage.