Max Verstappen returned to his 2024 world title one last time during the FIA gala, which was held this Friday in Rwanda. The four-time F1 world champion congratulated his team and again acknowledged it was his most hard-won crown.
“This season, we had our ups and downs. We had a good start to the year, even though we knew our limits, and we knew what we had to work on. Our rivals made a lot of progress, that made us difficult life, especially in the constructors’ championship” Verstappen said.
“We had a difficult series in the middle of the season but even in difficult moments, the team stayed together. We didn’t panic, which could have been easy in this situation. But I’m proud of everyone on the team.”
The Dutchman also let slip a discreet tackle towards his teammate Sergio Pérez: “We are not constructors’ champions, but I think we deserved better in this ranking. I did my best, and we know what we have to work on for next year. I’m looking forward to it because it will be a fight between several teams.”
Asked what this world title represents, the fourth in a row, Verstappen admits that he did not always imagine that he could reach such a level: “It’s something you don’t think about when you grow up.”
“You see all these names, you think it’s impressive, but you hope that one day you can get on a podium! But sometimes you get lucky in life, you’re in the right place at the right time. You have to take advantage of it and I managed to do that.”
“This title is incredible, but I hope it doesn’t stop there, I hope we can be successful for longer. But our rivals are close and everything will change in 2026, maybe other teams will come closer. For now, we have to enjoy what we achieved this year, be proud of what we achieved and try to do it again next year.
Norris ‘withdrew’ bitter Brazil comment
Lando Norris began his awards speech by apologizing to Verstappen, despite telling Brazil his rival’s victory was down to luck: “First of all, I want to retract a comment I made that it was luck and not talent! And second, congratulations to Max.”
“What he did this year, especially in Brazil, was incredible. I’m the first to recognize it when I’m the one fighting against him. It was a difficult season, I gave everything but it wasn’t “It wasn’t enough and at the same time, I’m happy to finish second behind Max because I know it’s a huge accomplishment to do better than that.”
The vice-world champion wanted to thank his team and his bosses, Zak Brown and Andrea Stella: “An incredible year for me with a lot of accomplishments and a lot of progress, but I also know that I need to do better than what I have been doing. I can’t wait to try to do better.”
“But the best thing was for us with the team, winning the constructors’ title. I’ve been with McLaren for six years, it was an incredible and unimaginable thing, even at the start of the year. Thanks to Zak and Andrea for giving me this opportunity to fight this battle and have fun.”
“The disappointment is fresh” but Leclerc is “hungry”
Charles Leclerc said he was very motivated to erase the disappointment of last season and the narrowly missed constructors’ title, 14 points behind McLaren. He also hopes to be able to aim for the crown in 2025.
“I’m hungry for next year. The disappointment is still fresh from the last race because it was last week and we fought against McLaren for the constructors’ title until the very last race. But they made a best work and they deserved the title, congratulations to them, congratulations to Max” Leclerc said.
“It’s been a very long season, and I had a best moment which was Monaco. I grew up there and that’s where my passion was born. And winning at Monza too. And another dream that I What I didn’t expect was being able to drive in FP1 with my little brother last week, it was a special moment for our family.”
“A lot of positive moments in a season but being second or third is not what you want. You want to win. But the second half of the season was positive and I want to win the world title next year.”
