Max Verstappen wins fourth straight World Championship as George Russell takes victory in Las Vegas
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Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers’ Championship in dramatic fashion at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, even though Mercedes driver George Russell took the victory. Verstappen entered the weekend with the simple goal of finishing ahead of his closest championship rival, Lando Norris, to secure the title. He did so with ease, starting the race from fifth place while Norris began from sixth.
From the get-go, the two title contenders were side-by-side, but Verstappen quickly asserted control and finished in fifth place, ahead of Norris, who crossed the line in sixth. With only two races remaining in the season, Verstappen’s championship lead became mathematically unassailable. The victory marked a significant achievement for Verstappen, as he now joins the ranks of F1 legends such as Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, and Sebastian Vettel, each having won at least four World Drivers’ Championships.
“Four times. Thank you, guys,” Verstappen radioed to his team after crossing the finish line. “Thank you to everyone. It was a little bit more difficult than last year, but we pulled through and gave it all.” After an intense title battle with Hamilton in 2021 and a dominant 2022 season where he won 19 of 22 races, Verstappen’s 2023 campaign proved to be more challenging. Though he won seven of the first 10 races, Red Bull’s dominance began to fade as McLaren and other teams began to close the gap. Verstappen only won one of the next 12 races, but his consistent point-scoring ensured his lead remained intact.
“It’s been a long season,” Verstappen reflected after the race. “Of course, we started off amazing, almost cruising, but then we had a tough run. As a team, we kept it together, worked on improvements, and pulled off the win. I’m incredibly proud of everyone.” Verstappen also acknowledged that although the season was not as dominant as 2022, it had taught him valuable lessons, making his fourth championship even more special.
For Norris, it was a bittersweet moment. Despite a valiant challenge throughout the season, he could not dethrone Verstappen, who he described as the deserving champion. “Congrats to Max,” Norris said. “I’m disappointed I’m out of it, but Max deserves to win it. He’s driven a better season than I have, and he doesn’t have a weakness. Even when he doesn’t have the best car, he’s always there, always making your life difficult.”
Meanwhile, the race in Las Vegas was a triumph for Mercedes’ George Russell. Starting from pole position, Russell was in control for most of the race, aside from a brief clash with Charles Leclerc early on. This victory marked his third career win and second of the 2023 season, having previously won in Austria. “I was planning to fly in a couple of hours, but I’m definitely not getting on that flight!” Russell joked post-race. “I’m going to enjoy this evening with my team.”
His teammate Lewis Hamilton had a stellar race, recovering from a disappointing 10th-place start to finish in second, securing a Mercedes one-two. Hamilton’s performance marked his record-extending 202nd podium finish, which was a testament to his consistent excellence across a variety of circuits. “It’s been a dream of a weekend,” said Russell. “To get the victory here, pole position, a dominant weekend, and a one-two with Lewis… we couldn’t have chosen a better place to make this happen.”
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz secured third place, with teammate Charles Leclerc finishing just behind. The two Ferrari drivers exchanged positions several times during the race, engaging in multiple thrilling battles, including a memorable duel with Verstappen.
In the Constructors’ Championship standings, Ferrari narrowed the gap to McLaren, reducing the difference to just 24 points. Red Bull now sits 53 points behind, with only two races remaining in Qatar and the UAE. The final races of the season promise to be thrilling, with the fight for second place in the Constructors’ Championship still up for grabs.
Overall, the Las Vegas Grand Prix provided a fitting spectacle to crown Verstappen as world champion once again, while also showcasing Mercedes’ resilience and Ferrari’s competitive spirit. As the season nears its conclusion, the battles in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships remain intense, ensuring plenty of excitement in the final stages of the season.
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