Pole-sitter George Russell romped to Las Vegas Grand Prix victory but Max Verstappen overshadowed him by claiming the Formula One world championship for the fourth time on Sunday.

Verstappen finished a distant fifth but stole the limelight clinching the 2024 title with two GP’s remaining.

It was a Mercedes 1-2 with Lewis Hamilton coming second to teammate Russell while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took third spot.

Lando Norris of McLaren finished sixth and his teammate Oscar Piastri was number even.

But Verstappen was crowned the king of the season to join Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton on the list of elite F1 drivers with four or more world championships.

“For sure it was a very challenging season,” said Red Bull’s Verstappen.

“I think also as a person, at times it’s very challenging. I had to be calm.”

After sealing a commanding 62-point season win over second-placed Norris, it was a year that the Dutchman took a lot of learnings from.

“I think in a way, of course, I still prefer last season; I enjoyed it a lot, but I think this season, definitely again taught me a lot of lessons,” he added.

“I’m very proud of how we handled it also as a team. So in a way of course that makes it also very, very special, and a beautiful season.”

Up next is the Qatar Grand Prix before the season signs off in Abu Dhabi.

Pictured above: Max Verstappen

Source: Formula One