Max Verstappen recently reflected on his emotions after securing his fourth world championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, acknowledging the intensity of the season and the relief that came with the title. The Dutch driver sealed the championship with a fifth-place finish in Nevada, which put him ahead of his closest rival, Lando Norris, and clinched the title with two races still remaining in the season. Verstappen admitted that while the racing continued at a rapid pace, he took a moment to celebrate his achievement, noting that 2024 had been a “very intense” year for both himself and his team.
When asked if this championship felt more special than his previous titles, Verstappen explained that each title had been unique, but this one was particularly rewarding. “This one was very rewarding, at the end of the day,” he said, acknowledging the tough competition Red Bull faced throughout the season. He reflected on how challenging the season had been, stating that it was a satisfying feeling to cross the line in Vegas and know that the title was secured. Despite the challenges, Verstappen expressed pride in how he and his team managed the situation, and he was clearly emotional about the success.
With two races left in the season, Verstappen’s focus has now shifted to the future. While the immediate goal is to continue learning from the final races of the year, he is already thinking ahead to the 2025 season. He mentioned that Red Bull had several ideas in mind to improve the car for the following year, though he admitted that time would tell if those changes would be enough to maintain their competitiveness. Regarding the close competition among the top teams, Verstappen said it didn’t affect him much. His focus remained on performing at his best in the final races while preparing for next year’s challenges.
Although Red Bull is mathematically still in the running for the 2024 constructors’ championship, they face a tough battle, trailing McLaren by 53 points and Ferrari by 29 points.
