Published: November 24, 2024, 09:53h. 

Last updated on: November 24, 2024, 10:02h.

George Russell claimed victory in the second edition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, leading a Mercedes one-two finish. However, it was Max Verstappen who stole the show once again by securing his fourth consecutive F1 Driver’s Championship with a fifth-place finish.

Verstappen’s triumph was almost a certainty as he arrived in Las Vegas close to clinching the championship. His victory in the previous race in Brazil meant he only needed to finish ahead of Lando Norris from McLaren, who came in sixth.

No Verstappen Him

This makes Verstappen the sixth F1 driver in history to win four Driver’s Championships, joining the likes of Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel. Ahead of him are only Lewis Hamilton (seven), Michael Schumacher (seven), and Juan Manuel Fangio (five).

“Becoming a four-time world champion is a dream come true,” Verstappen shared during a press conference moderated by actor Terry Crews at the Bellagio’s grandstand.

“This season taught me many lessons, and we handled it well as a team, making it a special and beautiful season,” Verstappen added.

Pole Cat

Starting from pole position after setting the fastest qualifying time, Russell maintained his lead throughout the race, fending off challenges from teammate Lewis Hamilton. This win marked Russell’s third career victory after an earlier disqualification at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Hamilton crossed the finish line 7.3 seconds later, securing a Mercedes one-two finish for the first time since the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. Carlos Sainz Jr. finished third for Ferrari, followed by teammate Charles Leclerc in fourth place.

Despite the achievements of Verstappen and Russell, Red Bull Racing currently sits third in the Constructor’s Championship standings, trailing McLaren and Ferrari. Mercedes is in fourth place.

With only two races left in the season, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on December 15 and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 22.

This year marked the second edition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, transforming the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding streets into a 3.8-mile racetrack. While benefiting corporate-owned casinos, many local businesses claim it causes them millions in lost revenue by restricting access to their regular customers for extended periods.