Max Verstappen admitted he “by no means thought” he would win 4 world titles after wrapping up the 2024 System One championship beneath the Las Vegas lights.
Verstappen’s success ushered him into an elite membership alongside Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Alain Prost as a four-time champion.
Seven wins within the opening 10 races launched Verstappen to this success, however he wanted to beat a mid-season run of ten and not using a win earlier than victory in a rain-hit race in Brazil arrange his fourth title.
“At 17, I used to be simply pleased to be there and dreaming of potential victories and standing on the rostrum, simply regular issues which might be already very tough to realize,” mentioned the 27-year-old Dutchman whose fifth-place race end in Las Vegas was sufficient to ensure the title.
“It was a really difficult season and for me additionally as an individual at occasions it was very difficult and I needed to be calm. In a method I nonetheless want final season, I loved it loads, however I believe this season it has taught me lots of classes.
“I’m very pleased with us as a staff and in a method that makes it a really particular and delightful season. It has been so aggressive this time. A particular season. A stupendous season.”
Verstappen additionally dominated out hypothesis that he could depart Pink Bull, the staff which has nurtured his expertise and brought him to the highest of the game.
“We have been via loads and that is particular – however will probably be a correct battle subsequent yr with lots of vehicles concerned so I’m going to take pleasure in this.
“For me I am simply very proud to be a part of the staff and we at the moment are celebrating our fourth world title collectively. There’s undoubtedly nothing on my thoughts. Nothing else on my thoughts.”
Verstappen has been on high of the world championship in an unbroken run because the Spanish Grand Prix in 2022.
“It is unimaginable, he is carried out a tremendous job,” mentioned Pink Bull staff chief Christian Horner. “He is been excellent all yr and we’re simply very pleased with him.
“He is received eight Grand Prix and the championship with two races to spare and you may’t ask for greater than that. He is solely simply turned 27 and he is within the type of his life so so long as we are able to maintain giving him an honest automobile then he’ll maintain delivering.”
Norris, who pushed Verstappen to the restrict within the second half of the season, was sixth within the race, a spot behind his rival.
“Congrats to Max, as a lot because it hurts slightly bit, saying congrats would not damage, however understanding the championship is 100% over you at all times have slightly hope inside,” mentioned the Englishman.
“He drove an unimaginable season and when you may have the quickest automobile he dominated and when he did not he was nonetheless there and at all times on my heels. He made my life powerful, we made his powerful at occasions I am positive however he drove a greater season.”
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