Max Verstappen has made history again. His fifth place in Las Vegas, combined with Lando Norris’ sixth, has given him his fourth World title, something that not even he himself expected based on his statements after passing under the checkered flag. The Dutchman has not had the best car on the grid for much of the season, but he has been able to manage the advantage achieved during the first part of the year. «It has been a very long season. We started amazing. We were almost at cruising speed, but we had difficulties. As a team we have kept up well, trying to keep improving and we have to be proud of what everyone has done for me. Being here as a third-time world champion, I didn’t think it was possible,” explained the driver as he got out of his RB20.
Verstappen looked back and remembered his beginnings in Formula 1. Not even he himself imagined then that he would be one of the most successful drivers in history, like Prost or Vettel. At 27 years old, he has one crown away from a myth like Juan Manuel Fangio and is three away from the record of Michael Schumacher and of Lewis Hamilton. «I didn’t expect to have four titles when I was 17 years old. I was happy to be there, I dreamed of victories or podiums, normal things that are already very difficult to achieve. And then we get into that streak of difficult years“But with the new regulations we did well and being here as a four-time champion is incredible,” he noted.
The driver recalled all the difficulties he has suffered during the year, in which he has not dominated as easily as in previous years: «It has been a very complicated season. At times I have had to keep calm and this is very difficult. I prefer last season regardless, but this season has taught me many lessons and I am very proud with how we have dealt with everything as a team, It’s a very special season.», he explained. And he added: «It is incredible to see the fans who support me everywhere. Last year they got a little used to it with so many victories. And to the team… what can I say, all these achievements we are achieving are very special. “To do this four times in a row is very special.”
Verstappen knows that the fifth round will be very complicated because there is a change in regulations, but he assures that he will fight until the last kilometer: “I think that the year 2025 is going to be a brutal battle between many cars, but I am hungry. There are two races left, where I want to do well, then a short break and next year we will get back to it.”
Carlos Sainz He returned to the podium. The Madrid native scored his 26th win and before congratulating Verstappen on his title, he recalled the problem he had last year in Las Vegas, where a poorly installed manhole cover ruined his race because it damaged his car and the day before and with The changes were penalized in the race. «I was hoping Las Vegas would give me something back after last year.. I’ve been looking at all the sewers during the race. “I look forward to returning here in the future,” he joked. And then he referred to Max’s title: “First of all, congratulations to Verstappen for his great birthday, he has several at a very high level, he deserves the World Cup because he has known how to take advantage of a dominant car and then manage a slightly worse car, he only deserves our congratulations.” ».
Sainz’s podium was achieved after a tough battle with his teammate Charles Leclerc and before the absolute dominance of Mercedes. The Madrid native did not want to argue about his Ferrari teammate’s complaints: «We’ve been like this for four years. Charles and I have gone wheel to wheel every three or four races. We are close in rhythm and we always fight. “I don’t think we could improve the result.” «With the first half stint I passed Charles, with the hard ones he was the best and I asked them to put me in the pits, they didn’t do it, we have gotten involved with each other and it hasn’t been a good race. I also don’t think things would have changed much in the end,” added the Ferrari driver.
Carlos also appreciated the performance of the tires on a circuit that degraded them very quickly. «It has been a shock. We expected to be strong with the mediums but they lasted 8 or 9 laps. I wasn’t comfortable, I wasn’t strong today, we didn’t have that extra to fight with George. Today the Mercedes were flyinghis pace was superior, look at Hamilton who started 10th… . We have gotten the most we could get today, but it is not enough for what we wanted to achieve because We have not had a great career in management either. of the same,” he concluded.
George Russellwinner of the race, was the living image of happiness. «It has been a dream weekend but I don’t know how we were so fast. I was waiting for something to happen, because every time I’ve started from pole there has been chaos, whether it was rain, red flags… I was waiting for something, but I am very happy. Las Vegas is a crazy place. Achieving a victory, a double podium and pole has been the best possible scenario,” he explained. And he joked: “I was going to fly back home in a couple of hours but I’m going to enjoy tonight.”
#Verstappen #assesses #difficulty #feat #didnt #fourth #World #Cup
