A season “complicated”, with eight victories and a world championship title up for grabs, many drivers would dream of it. But for Max Verstappen, crowned for the fourth consecutive time at the end of the Las Vegas Grand Prix (United States), Sunday November 24, the conquest of this new title was not easy. Ultra-dominant in 2023, he faced more competition in 2024.
However, at the start of the season, everything suggested that it would once again be a long year of domination for the Dutchman, winner of seven of the first ten Grands Prix. He doesn't know it yet, but it is these successes that will give him the title. Because as summer arrives, the Red Bull driver sees his lead disappear, the fault of a car that has become difficult to adjust and drive, whose pace he sometimes complains about. A period of ten races then begins, from Austria (end of June) to Mexico (end of October), without a victory for Max Verstappen, who nevertheless manages to stay on the lookout for good points, and will do no worse than a sixth place while his teammate Sergio Perez is in distress in the second part of the ranking.
“It was the hardest title for Max to achieve. He was incredible, he kept his head high. When the car was not there, he continued to perform”greeted his boss Christian Horner on Canal+ on Sunday. In his misfortune, the Dutchman will also be lucky that no other driver really takes the lead during this complicated period for Red Bull. Six of his competitors (Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz) thus climbed onto the first step of the podium between June and October, sharing the big points without catching up.
Imperturbable on the track, Max Verstappen also managed to stay off it, while Christian Horner was accused of “inappropriate behavior” by an employee (he was ultimately cleared) and his father, Jos Verstappen, demanded his departure. He also stepped up to the plate after being reprimanded by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, for swearing, and sentenced to community service. Supported by the other drivers, he finally won his case.
But perhaps disconcerted by a car falling into line, and not really helped by his teammate, his demons resurfaced on several occasions, with very rough and reprehensible defenses on Lando Norris, his runner-up in the standings, notably in Mexico. However, he never panicked or exceeded the limits, and then returned to victory in Brazil. “It's been a long season. We started amazing, it was calmer and more difficult after that, but we stuck together as a team. We tried to improve the car. It was a difficult season. , I had to stay calm. I clearly prefer last season, but this one taught me a lot of lessons that I am very proud of.he analyzed as he got out of his car in Las Vegas.
With a 63-point gap two races from the end of the calendar, this title is not, however, the one acquired with the least gap over its pursuer. In 2021, he beat Lewis Hamilton to the post by only eight small units, a coronation which remains tainted by the controversial decision of the race management. But it is true that these 63 points represent a short margin compared to his 146 in 2022, and his 290, a record, in 2023.
Also notable difference compared to its previous titles: in 2024, Red Bull (555 points) will probably not finish as constructors' world champion (McLaren is first with 608 points), further proof that Max Verstappen's single-seater was not as dominant as in previous years. The Dutchman therefore also made the difference in his driving, and everyone in the paddock agreed on Sunday that this fourth title was amply “deserved”. After equaling Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen will now have Juan Manuel Fangio's five titles in his sights.
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