Fifth place is enough because Lando Norris can no longer threaten him. Verstappen is now level with Sebastian Vettel.
No risk in a player’s paradise: On the glittering night in Las Vegas, Max Verstappen secured his fourth world title, crowning perhaps the most complicated season of his career. A sober performance was enough for the Red Bull driver, he turned his laps quickly and without mistakes, ended up fifth in Mercedes’ double victory with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton – and is now level with Sebastian Vettel in terms of titles. The German also had such a series for Red Bull from 2010 to 2013.
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Verstappen’s renewed triumph was no longer in danger because rival McLaren was far from the form that had distinguished the team in recent months. Lando Norris, who should have made up points in Las Vegas, only finished sixth. Everything has now been decided before the final races in Qatar (December 1st) and Abu Dhabi (December 8th). Behind the remarkably strong Mercedes, Carlos Sainz took third place in the Ferrari. Nico Hülkenberg finished in the points in eighth place.
The actual decision, that was the feeling over the past three weeks, had already been made in Brazil at the beginning of November: psychologically and also with a view to the World Cup points. Verstappen raced to victory from 17th on the grid, while Norris slipped from pole position to sixth place – and the lead that had been shrinking for months was suddenly huge again.
The previously realistic scenario – Norris intercepting the series world champion in the final sprint – has since then only been theoretically possible. And at a bad time for the Englishman, McLaren had also lost the strength of the past few weeks in Las Vegas. Only sixth on the grid behind Verstappen’s equally unimpressive Red Bull – Mercedes and Ferrari clearly set the tone in qualifying.
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And so both protagonists went into this race quite relaxed. Verstappen could hardly lose – and Norris, “pretty much down” after Brazil, had hardly anything to gain. “The best thing we can do is of course finish in front of Max, but that’s not our main goal,” he said before the start on Sky: “We just want to get as many points as possible.”
Both went into the race with a few question marks; both Red Bull and McLaren had some problems with the conditions in training. The cold asphalt at night in Las Vegas is a challenge for the tires, which only work as desired in the right temperature window. “I don’t know, I don’t know how fast we are and how we can cope with the tires,” said Verstappen: “We’ll just look and do our best.”
At the start they both held each other harmless, but as a result it actually looked like a snail race. Both needed a few laps to get past Pierre Gasly. The Alpine pilot had completely unexpectedly secured third place on the grid, but was considered easy prey for the top teams in the race. Nine laps passed until Verstappen and Norris were over – but after that a clearer picture emerged: The Red Bull was the fastest car in the field after the Mercedes.
Both Ferraris also collapsed after a good start, Verstappen passed Charles Leclerc and Sainz quite easily and was now second behind Russell. Norris fought against it, had to let record world champion Lewis Hamilton go in the other Mercedes and was only in sixth place. The entire field had stopped early in the race, but while Russell was circling at the front and his pursuers Verstappen, Sainz and Leclerc were also getting faster and faster, Norris was losing time lap after lap.
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“The right front tire looks as if it will soon say goodbye,” he radioed to the pits shortly before the halfway point of the race. And that’s what it looked like as the race progressed. Verstappen had to bow to both Hamilton and the Ferraris – but was able to get over it. He raced to the finish line as the old and new world champion.
What factors contributed to Lando Norris’s declining chance of winning the championship in the latter part of the Formula One season?
## World Today News: Verstappen Secures Fourth Title
**Host**: Welcome back to World Today News. Tonight, we’re delving into the thrilling world of Formula One after Max Verstappen clinched his fourth world title in Las Vegas, equaling Sebastian Vettel’s achievement. We have with us two esteemed guests: John Smith, a motorsport journalist with years of experience covering Formula One, and Emma Jones, a former racing driver and current commentator. Welcome to the show!
**John & Emma**: Thank you for having us.
**Host**: Let’s start by discussing Max Verstappen’s remarkable feat. John, what makes this championship particularly significant?
**John**: Absolutely. Verstappen’s fourth title, at just 26 years old, is a testament to his exceptional talent and consistency.
**Host**: Emma, your perspective as a former racer adds another dimension to this. What stood out to you about Verstappen’s performance throughout the season?
**Emma**: Max has shown incredible resilience and maturity this season. Even when facing tough competition, he’s kept his focus and delivered consistently strong results.
**Host**: (Section: The Championship Battle)
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**Host**: Speaking of competition, Lando Norris presented a strong challenge early on. John, what factors contributed to Norris’s diminishing chances in the latter half of the season?
**John**: Several factors played a role. McLaren struggled to maintain their early-season pace, partly due to development challenges and Verstappen’s resurgence.
**Host**: Emma, from a driver’s perspective, what are the mental and tactical implications of trailing behind in a championship battle, especially compared to a dominant leader like Verstappen?
**Emma**: It can be extremely demoralizing to watch your championship hopes dwindle. You need to find the mental strength to keep pushing, analyze your weaknesses, and capitalize on any opportunities that arise.
**Host**: (Section: The Las Vegas Grand Prix)
**Host**: Let’s dissect the Las Vegas Grand Prix itself. Emma, what were your impressions of the race?
**Emma**: It was a thrilling spectacle, even if the result was preordained. The night setting added another layer of excitement, and the Mercedes resurgence showcased their strong performance.
**Host**: John, Mercedes has been gaining momentum in recent races. What does this mean for the upcoming season?
**John**: It suggests Mercedes is on the comeback trail, potentially setting up an exciting three-way fight for the championship next year.
**Host**: (Section: Looking Ahead)
**Host**: Leaving the championship aside, what other stories emerged from the race? Emma, any memorable moments or surprises?
**Emma**: Pierre Gasly’s unexpected qualifying performance was a fantastic display of speed, even though he couldn’t hold onto the podium.
**Host**: John, how do you see the remaining races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi shaping up?
**John**: Both races will be fiercely contested, but with Verstappen’s title secured, the spotlight might shift to team battles and individual driver performances.
**Host**: Thank you both for your insightful analysis. This has been a fascinating discussion about a landmark moment in Formula One. To our viewers, let us know your thoughts on Verstappen’s dominance and the future of the sport in the comments below
