Max Verstappen had built up such a comfortable lead at times that it looked as if he wouldn’t have to worry at all in this third-to-last Formula 1 race of the season in Las Vegas. He had put so many cars between himself and his closest title rival Lando Norris that he no longer seemed to pose any danger. But the final phase of this Grand Prix mixed up the order so much with various maneuvers that the prospect of a podium place with a champagne shower turned into fifth place. The 27-year-old Dutchman still achieved his minimum goal: he crossed the finish line ahead of Norris. And thus world champions for the fourth time in a row.
“Oh my God, four times,” said Verstappen, audibly emotional on the radio. “Thank you guys, thanks to everyone!” Like the German Sebastian Vettel from 2010 to 2013 – also with Red Bull – he has now won this number of titles and had a mixed season for him before the final races in Qatar (December 1st) and Abu Dhabi (December 8th) decided. Victory went to George Russell in the Mercedes ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton. Carlos Sainz came third in a Ferrari.
:Max Verstappen shows that he deserves the world title
Verstappen had already shown his skills in an impressive way in the previous race. From 17th on the grid, he drove to victory in Brazil, which may have demoralized Norris and was decisive. Now the challenge in this regard was not quite as big: Verstappen started the Las Vegas Grand Prix from fifth place, Norris from sixth place. In order to win his fourth title, he had to compete with his Red Bull, which had been so strong over the past few months McLaren, who had to struggle with the low temperatures in Las Vegas, came to the finish. But it was clear that he had set himself an additional task over the 50 laps: If he was to become champion early, then he wanted to crown it with a victory.
However, George Russell first enjoyed his place in the sun. Mercedes coped best with the conditions, Ferrari the second best: Carlos Sainz Jr. started from second place, Charles Leclerc in fourth, with Pierre Gasly in the Alpine-Renault unexpectedly in between. At the start, Verstappen had to be patient; the first maneuver was not successful for him, but for Leclerc, who got past Gasly and Sainz early on and watched Russell. On the fourth lap Gasly was due again, Verstappen took advantage of one of the three long straights along the glittering casinos and rushed past the Frenchman. Norris, on the other hand, was stuck at the back and must have suspected that this would not be a pleasant day at work for him.
Leclerc had problems. First his teammate Sainz overtook him, then Verstappen, who was not satisfied with that and also bagged the Spaniard on the tenth lap, making himself Russell’s first pursuer. Meanwhile, Leclerc and Norris had stopped in the pits to switch to the hard rubber compound, Sainz followed them. This meant that Verstappen was in the Mercedes sandwich of Russell and Lewis Hamilton, with the German Nico Hülkenberg in fourth place, who ultimately crossed the finish line in eighth place. Russell was eight seconds ahead of Verstappen on the eleventh lap, time for fresh tires and he also had the hard compound fitted. One car after another followed.
The race was interrupted when, after 16 laps, Gasly frantically reported engine problems and said he had no more power. However, the yellow flag was not waved and the safety car was not deployed because Gasly turned into the pit lane in good time. And so Hamilton was able to pass Norris in peace. Instead of maneuvering the McLaren closer to Verstappen, Norris was now seventh. It seemed hopeless to counter him in this world championship fight. Verstappen didn’t have to fear his title rival, he could concentrate fully on his own race. So that nothing goes wrong, he got fresh tires again on the 30th lap, and Hamilton also received new rolling stock – and benefited from it. In the duel between the two former bitter rivals, he drove past Verstappen without any difficulty. At that moment he didn’t even put up any resistance against a car that was clearly superior to his this weekend.
Because Leclerc drove into the pits, Russell and Hamilton were now in the lead, a victory for Verstappen wouldn’t work, the Mercedes were too good. The radio reminded Verstappen to keep his eyes on the day’s goal and not to take any risks. And Verstappen even had the prospect of a champagne shower: he was on course for the podium with a comfortable lead. Anything more would be difficult. Russell had such a lead that he could also have his tires changed without hesitation, and even then he was eleven seconds ahead of Hamilton, who was preparing to take the lead. Although the seven-time world champion had tires that were five laps older than Russell’s, he narrowed the gap with one fastest lap after the other. It wasn’t enough for Hamilton to win – but it was enough for Mercedes to win twice. But Red Bull had the biggest party, even if it was no longer enough for the podium.
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