Max Verstappen is F1 world champion for a fourth-straight time after finishing fifth at Las Vegas Grand Prix

Max Verstappen has won a fourth-consecutive F1 world title after finishing fifth in Las Vegas.

Mercedes took the one-two position after George Russell won the race while seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton soared from tenth to second place. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz came third.

With Lando Norris, his closest title rival, finishing sixth, it ensured that Verstappen continued his dominance in the sport.

The Dutchman’s world championship wasn’t as easy as going down the final straight like it was last year.

The 27-year-old romped to victory in 2023 as Verstappen won race after race with utter conviction.

However, the Red Bull driver struggled with consistency throughout the middle part of the season as McLaren’s Norris formed a title charge, slowly closing the gap.

Victories for Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Russell, Hamilton and Norris throughout the term made this campaign the most intriguing in years.

Max Verstappen ‘proud’ of his achievement

After completing this impressive feat, Verstappen explained: ‘What a season, it was a little more difficult than last season, but we pulled through.’

He added: ‘It has been a long season and we started amazing, almost like cruising, and then we had a tough run but we kept it together as a team, kept working on improvements and pulled it over the line.

‘To stand here as a four-time world champion is something I never thought was possible so standing here relieved in a way but also proud.’

By Jack Bunclark