Las Vegas, 24 November 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Red Bull's Max Verstappen added a new crown to his glittering career and claimed his fourth consecutive Formula One title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Sunday.

Verstappen finished fifth, but that was enough to seal the championship since he outscored title contender Lando Norris of McLaren, who was sixth.

The race was won by George Russell, who lead a Mercedes one-two ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Carlos Sainz of Ferrari completed the podium.

"Oh my God, what a season, four titles. Thank you, thank you guys. It was a little bit more difficult than last year, but we pulled through and we gave it all," Verstappen said over the team radio.

It was a difficult weekend for Verstappen, who struggled with the cold and slippery track conditions. He wasn't among the top candidates to win in Sin City, as he did last year, but did enough to achieve his main goal.

"It's been a long season. We started off cruising, and we have to be proud of everyone. To stand here as a four-time world champion, I never thought it was possible. I'm relieved in a way, and very proud," Verstappen said in his post-race interview.

With four titles in his career, the Dutchman has now equalled the marks of former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel and of Alain Prost. Vettel also won all of his four consecutive titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013.

"I want to congratulate Max on an incredible season and his fourth world title. He is a true great of this sport and has so much more to look forward to in his impressive career," F1 president Stefano Domenicali said.

Verstappen will now aim to help his Red Bull team to win the constructors' title. McLaren lead the way 24 points ahead of Ferrari, with Red Bull further 29 points adrift.

Mercedes rewarded for dominant weekend

Mercedes have been far from being among the strongest teams on the grid this season, but were rewarded with a fourth win this year after a weekend in which they dominated all practice sessions and the qualifying.

Russell had a great start to retain his lead and only saw his win slightly threatened by team-mate Hamilton towards the end of the race.

But the British driver kept his cool to cross the line after leading the race from start to finish.

"To get pole, a dominant weekend, a one-two with Lewis as well - I was just waiting for something to happen, the last two I've had on pole have been crazy races with rain, red flags. But I'm so, so happy right now," Russell said in his post-race interview

"I was planning on flying in a couple of hours, but I am definitely not getting on that flight - I'm going to enjoy this with all my team," he added.

Hamilton, who will join Ferrari next year and admitted he thought about walking away from Mercedes earlier after a difficult weekend at the Brazilian GP, had a strong performance to make his way to the podium from 10th.

"We don't know why the car was so quick but that's the best the car has felt. If the car drivers like that in the next couple of races, we'll be able to challenge the guys in front," he said and congratulated rival Verstappen for winning the championship.

Best of the rest

Sainz and team-mate Charles Leclerc were third and fourth for Ferrari as the Italian team grabbed important points to close the gap to McLaren in the constructors' championship.

With two races left to the end of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the Scuderia will be dreaming of their first team title since 2008.

Verstappen was fifth, followed by Norris and Oscar Piastri in the other McLaren. Nico Hülkenberg of Haas, Visa RB's Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull completed the top 10.

Pierre Gasly, who had a strong qualifying session and started in third, was forced to abandon the race due to engine issues.

Next on the schedule is the Qatar GP on December 1.

MIA file photo