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The F1 season brought the fans everything they dreamed of. Although it looked at one point as if Max Verstappen might be without the championship this season, the Dutchman managed to maintain the huge lead he had and win the fourth championship. The Dutchman once again confirmed his dominance, which could last. The 27-year-old showed in Las Vegas that he is one step ahead of McLaren and other teams, deservedly winning another championship.
His father, Jos Verstappen, spoke to his son before the race, noting that there was an excitement factor. Jos admitted that Max is an experienced driver who doesn't need advice like he used to, so Jos often avoids such situations, not wanting to be in an environment full of stress.
"I spoke to Max an hour and a half before the start," Jos told Dutch radio station Radio 538, as quoted by Racing News 365.
"We always do that.
[There was] further excitement, of course, hoping it goes the right way. Of course it is nicer [to be there], but sometimes I also like to stay home and not experience the stress of the whole week.
Max knows full well what he has to do anyway, so I don't always have to be there anymore either and I feel fine with that."
Max Verstappen showed maturity and control in Las Vegas, managing tire wear and degradation to secure the title. McLaren had tire problems, which gave his father Jos confidence.
Many times during this season, McLaren encountered problems, and the factor they lacked to win the championship was also absent this time. Although Lando Norris was motivated to spoil the Dutchman's plans, it seems that the Austrian team is one step ahead of everyone at the moment. The kind of dominance they have seen years ago is really something special, but many expect changes in the years ahead.
Jos Verstappen stressed that Max was optimistic before the race, but not sure about the performance of the tires. When he took the lead after a few laps, it looked promising, especially with McLaren's slower pace. Jos pointed out that the whole family made sacrifices for Max's successes, which makes them even more significant.
Max's father also revealed that the family often wants to talk to Verstappen via video call or phone, but the 27-year-old often doesn't have time for such things, motivated to achieve success on the F1 tracks. This mentality is precisely the reason why Max has been doing fantastic things for years.
Jos Verstappen highlighted the challenges of Max's after-race journey. After Max landed in Amsterdam to offload passengers, including his mother and sister, the plane was refueled and continued on its way. Jos added that Max did not sleep, staying awake until 10:30am, when he packed up and flew back to Amsterdam, which Jos sees as a normal part of the intense lifestyle of a Formula 1 driver.
Verstappen's fourth title equals Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel, and separates him from the icons who have three titles - Senna, Lauda, Piquet, Brabham and Stewart.
"Viva Las Vegas," shouted the 27-year-old in the car after crossing the finish line.
Only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (both 7) and Juan Manuel Fangio (5) have more world championship titles.
After two previous seasons where he absolutely dominated, this season has not been as easy for the Dutchman as it seems from the points account, since his Red Bull is only the third fastest car this season.
Max built up enough of an advantage at the beginning to stay at the top of the standings, having won seven of the first ten races and created an incredible reserve of points.
Red Bull fell in the car quality ranking, and McLaren reached the top, but they did not take advantage of this fact, thanks to numerous strategic or driving errors.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell react
His once greatest rival and the man whose dominance Max stopped, Lewis Hamilton, commented on the Dutchman's success, pointing out that Max did a fantastic thing, deserving such success. George Russell believes that next year will be interesting, considering that he will have to follow in the footsteps of Verstappen, who is already labeled as the favorite for the 2025 season.
“Congratulations must go to Max too who claimed the title today. He’s done a fantastic job all year and is a deserving champion,” said Lewis Hamilton.
“He is a deserving champion, has driven at an incredible level all year, and is the man we will all be chasing in 2025,” added George Russell.
We'll see what the next season brings us. Can Max continue at the same pace?
English (US)