Max Verstappen claims fourth driver’s title: his “best and hardest” yet

Max Verstappen is lifted by his team as they celebrate his fourth driver's title in Las Vegas. — Max Verstappen’s P5 finish in Las Vegas was enough to push him to a fourth consecutive title. Credit: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images.

Though the early part of the season was characterised by dominant wins for Verstappen and Red Bull that laid the foundation for this title, as the year progressed and his rivals gained pace, it came down to maximising results even if victory was not possible.

Coupled with missteps on McLaren’s part in the mid-phase of the season with the infamous ‘papaya rules’ and strategy blunders that cost them key wins at venues like Montreal or Silverstone, this consistency was Verstappen’s strength.

Red Bull weren’t without their own issues however amidst a turbulent season on and off track, but Verstappen praised their “calm” response to tough times this year; “I think this season, definitely again taught me a lot of lessons,” he said. “I’m very proud of how we handled it as a team.”

Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, has led the team through all of its, and Verstappen’s, championships but said this was Max’s “best and hardest” title fight.

Max Verstappen and Christian Horner. — Christian Horner credited Verstappen’s “maturity” as key to his victory. Credit: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images.

“He’s shown maturity, he’s delivered on the days when the car wasn’t quite there and there’s no one more deserving of this championship than Max,” he said. “The dedication, the application, the self-belief, that combination has created one of the most phenomenal drivers that I’ve ever seen.”

Max’s closest rival for the title, Lando Norris, credited the Dutchman’s consistency as one of the biggest differences in their seasons and as what ultimately made the difference in the fight.

“Max just doesn’t have a weakness”, Norris commented. “When he’s got the best car he dominates and when he’s not got the best car he’s still just there always, always there to make your life tough and difficult.”

Norris was of course disappointed to be out of contention for the title in a year that’s seen him claim his first win back in Miami, and two more since. But focus for all the drivers in the top three teams will now shift to the constructors’ battle.

The Red Bull Racing team celebrate Max Verstappen's driver's title. — All focus now turns to the Constructors’ championship for the Milton Keynes squad. Credit: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images.

With Red Bull sitting 53 points adrift from current standings leaders McLaren, Verstappen’s attention will also shift to backing up his fourth driver’s title with a third consecutive constructors’ title for the Milton Keynes squad.