Watch: Max Verstappen's emotional team radio as he wins his 4th F1 world title
Max Verstappen could not have a better place to win his fourth F1 title than at Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world. After his P5 at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Verstappen sealed his title ahead of contender Lando Norris, following which he let out his emotions flow on the team radio.
Verstappen arrived in Nevada with a 62-point cushion over Norris. All it needed for the Dutchman was to keep his composure and not lose any points to the McLaren driver, which he did not. With two races and a sprint remaining, along with a maximum of 60 available points, it was game over for Norris.
The Red Bull driver started his race from P5 after a formidable qualifying on Saturday. Norris, on the other hand, started from P6 and finished in the exact same position, which in the end, was far from helpful.
As the newly crowned champion crossed the Checkered Flag, he took to the team radio to share his thoughts.
"I never thought this was possible, but thanks to you guys," Verstappen said. "Oh my God, what a season. Four times. Thank you guys. Thank you. It was a little more difficult this year, but we pulled through. And gave it our all. Thank you so much guys."
Max Verstappen was then congratulated by his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, and team principal Christian Horner.
"That is four in a row," Gianpiero said.
"Max Verstappen, you are a four time world champion. That is a phenomenal achievement. You can be incredibly proud of yourself as we are," Horner added.
While Verstappen picked the championship, his team is far off from winning the Constructors' Championship. After the Vegas GP, McLaren and Ferrari are the primary contenders for the championship with two races and a sprint to go.
Max Verstappen matches Sebastian Vettel's record with fourth-consecutive championship title
With his new championship in 2024, Max Verstappen matched the former F1 and Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel. The German former driver claimed four back-to-back titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, and a decade later, Verstappen repeated the feat following his P5 at Las Vegas on Sunday, November 24.
Interestingly, Verstappen also matched the records of former world champions Nelson Piquet (three-time world champion, and father of Nelson Piquet Jr. and Kelly Piquet) and Keke Rosberg (father of 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg), who sealed their championship at Las Vegas with a P5 finish.
George Russell claimed the race win of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. He was followed by his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who started the race from P10. Carlos Sainz came home in P3 to keep the pressure on McLaren in the Constructors' Championship.