"When he had the quickest car, he dominated, when he didn't, he was still there": Lando Norris hails Max Verstappen as Red Bull star claims 4th title

Following the conclusion of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Max Verstappen claimed his fourth consecutive F1 title. The Red Bull driver got the better of Lando Norris, as the McLaren star was no match for the Dutchman. Instead of repenting over the lost championship, Norris was all praise for his title rival.

Max Verstappen arrived in Nevada with a 62-point lead over Norris, and all he needed was to make sure he did not lose points. In the end, Verstappen with a P5, finished ahead of Norris who came home in P6, and increased his championship lead to seal the title.

Currently, the Red Bull star driver has a 63-point gap to his McLaren counterpart, and it will no longer be possible for the latter to overcome the deficit in the next two races, and a sprint since a maximum of 60 points are available in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

"Congrats to Max. Knowing the championship is 100 per cent over, we always had a little hope inside but he drove an incredible season," Norris said after the race. "When he had the quickest car, he dominated, when he didn't, he was still there and always in my heels."

"He made my life tough. We made his tough I'm sure at times. But he drove a better season and of course a big congrats to him. That's the main thing. The race was pretty pants. Bad pace, bad grip, bad tyre management, just a poor weekend from us," he added.

With the title, Max Verstappen matched former F1 and Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel who managed to pull off the same feat a decade ago. During the 2010 to 2013 seasons, Vettel claimed four consecutive titles with Red Bull.

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Max Verstappen shared emotional words via his team radio following Championship victory

Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates at the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas - Source: Getty

After Max Verstappen crossed the checkered Flag, he turned emotional and took to his team radio to share his feelings. The Red Bull driver thanked his team after he had overcome a topsy-turvy 2024 season.

"I never thought this was possible, but thanks to you guys," Verstappen said on the team radio. "Oh my God, what a season. Four times. Thank you guys. Thank you. It was a little more difficult this year, but we pulled through. And give it our all. Thank you guys."

Max Verstappen became the third F1 driver to wrap up his title in Las Vegas after Nelson Piquet did it in 1981, followed by Keke Rosberg in 1982. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton pulled off a 1-2 in the race, and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari came home in P3.