Max Verstappen admitted to feeling “relieved” after securing his fourth Components 1 title, having come beneath heavy strain throughout the center of the 2024 season.
A haul of seven grand prix wins from the opening 10 races strongly advised that Verstappen was in line for one more uncontested run to the championship, significantly because the competitors round him regarded error-prone.
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However McLaren began to pile on the strain over the second half of the yr by Lando Norris, having slowly constructed on his maiden win in Miami and having emerged from the summer season in good type.
Purple Bull, for its half, had began to wrestle with stability points – main Verstappen to comment at that time within the season that it will be tough for the workforce to retain its grasp of each titles.
“It has been a protracted season, and naturally we began off superb – it was virtually like cruising, however then we had a tricky run,” Verstappen stated.
“However as a workforce, you recognize, we stored it collectively. We stored engaged on enhancements, and we pulled it over the road. I am extremely pleased with everybody, what they’ve carried out for me.
“To face right here as a four-time world champion is in fact one thing that I by no means thought was potential. So, yeah, in the intervening time simply feeling relieved in a manner, but in addition very proud.”
World Champion Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, celebrates along with his workforce
Photograph by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
“It was a really difficult season. I believe additionally as an individual, at instances, it’s totally difficult and I needed to be calm.
“I believe in a manner, I nonetheless most popular final season; I loved that rather a lot, however I believe this season undoubtedly has classes that I am very pleased with. We dealt with it additionally as a workforce so, in a manner, that makes it additionally very particular and a lovely season.”
Verstappen advised that he’d spoiled his followers along with his dominance of the 2023 season, and thanked them – and people on the Purple Bull workforce – for his or her persistence all year long.
He admitted that he was now hungry to struggle for a fifth title, however anticipated a a lot tougher problem for it subsequent season.
“It is at all times superb to see them in all places supporting me; I believe they acquired a bit spoiled final yr with all of the wins. In order that they needed to wait for a very long time in the midst of the season, however unbelievable assist at all times.
“To the workforce, what can I say? We now have been by rather a lot collectively and all these highs that we’re attaining proper now – it’s simply very particular to do this with all of the group of folks that now we have right here on the observe and again on the manufacturing unit.
“They’re constantly pushing flat out to offer me the automobile to struggle for a title, and to do this 4 instances in a row could be very particular.
“Should you take a look at subsequent yr proper now, I believe it may be a correct battle between a variety of automobiles. However yeah, I am hungry, in fact.
“I’ll take pleasure in this, however there are nonetheless two extra races that I need to do properly on the similar time, after which in fact we take a bit break after which we try to go at it once more subsequent yr.
Photographs from Las Vegas GP Race