F1
Max Verstappen 'very proud' to be quadruple world champion
Max Verstappen is a four-time world champion - Photo: Antonin Vincent / DPPI
What better setting than the luxuries of Las Vegas to celebrate a four-time world champion? Formula 1 ? It is in the streets of the City of Vice that Max Verstappen became the equal of Sebastian Vettel et Alain Prost. If the Mercedes dominated the race with George Russell winning ahead of Lewis Hamilton, the Dutchman had to settle for fifth place to be crowned, since his runner-up Lando Norris (McLaren) did no better than sixth.
“It’s been a long season so far, smiled Max Verstappen, interviewed by American actor Terry Crews and 2009 world champion Jenson Button in front of the Bellagio fountains. We started amazingly, it was calmer after that. We had some difficult moments, but as a team we stuck together to try to improve the car. I'm very proud of everyone in the team. I couldn't have hoped to be a four-time world champion. I feel relieved, but also very proud.
I was just happy to be there when I started in F1 (at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix with Toro Rosso. Editor’s note). I was hoping to get on podiums, to get victories, which is already very difficult to achieve. There were a few difficult years when I tried. Then we put a car on the track with a new concept. To be four times world champion is incredible.
After a 2023 season that flew by, 2024 was a little more challenging with the rise in power of other teams, particularly McLaren.
“It was a hard-fought season, Verstappen admits. I had to stay calm. I definitely prefer last season, but I learned a lot of lessons from this year. That makes this title special. It's amazing to see all these fans supporting me. We went through a lot of emotions together.
If I look ahead to next year now, it should be a battle with a lot of different cars. I'm going to enjoy this title first and there are two races left. I want to do things right there before enjoying the winter and then get back to fighting next year."
2025 could indeed be even more contested before the change in regulations.
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Valentin GLO
Journalist. Endurance reporter (WEC, IMSA, ELMS, ALMS) and sometimes F1 or IndyCar.
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
24/11/2024 at 12:45 a.m.
A deserved 4th crown, much more contested than the previous 3, with driving often well above average (just look at the performances of TexMex...) and phases of "hard racing" which illustrate an extraordinary determination behind the wheel but also a certain feverishness under pressure! Looking forward to 2025 with a battle between 4 teams
vincent moyet
24/11/2024 at 10:18 a.m.
A pride unfortunately tainted by maneuvers and feverish, even childish behavior last fall, not only unworthy of a world champion but even of a professional racing driver. And which were ultimately totally superfluous. Too bad.