It’s uncommon that we be taught contemporary items of element about drivers on the grid. Notably the main protagonists –the large weapons – such is their unique standing and superman-esque powers behind the wheel. However because the clock struck midnight in Sin Metropolis on Sunday, the person in ’s ear spoke with a definite readability of thought when requested about to a fourth crown.
What makes the Dutchman, a four-time world champion at 27, so distinctive?
“What you hear on the printed isn’t essentially Max, it’s simply his adrenaline on the time,” stated Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, often called ‘GP’, in a uncommon tv interview after the .
“As a lot as he’s obtained bravado, he’ll soak up each piece of data. That’s his actual energy.”
From a earlier group of a dozen, in securing his fourth title Verstappen joins a membership altogether . Solely 5 different drivers have received a minimum of 4 F1 world championships: Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (seven), Juan Manuel Fangio (5) and Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel (4).
Love him or detest him, F1’s final ‘marmite’ determine is now indisputably among the many all-time greats.
But this yr examined the indomitable Verstappen in additional methods than one. Off-track, the which engulfed Crimson Bull initially of the season noticed his dad Jos and boss in a highly-publicised dispute. On-track, Crimson Bull haven’t had the quickest automotive since race six and, for a interval, have been clearly on the grid.
But Verstappen has come by means of all of it – hypothesis over his future at Crimson Bull, squabbles within the cockpit with closest challenger and buddy Lando Norris and even the FIA seeking to squash his forthright, generally foul-mouthed, language – to seal the title with two races left.
It’s why he acknowledged, whereas sipping a can of Heineken within the Vegas paddock, that this was his finest title but. Higher, even, than his with Lewis Hamilton three years in the past.
“This yr has shared many similarities to 2021,” Lambiase added. “It was getting fairly intense, at instances. The buffer we had initially of the yr [after four wins in the first five races] cemented it.
“He has taken one other step. I’m happy with him.”
After that first title in 2021, Verstappen set new information for consecutive race victories and share of wins within the final two years. His crew received all however one grand prix in 2023. He claimed the person prize at a canter.
This yr was completely different. McLaren and Ferrari’s standing above Crimson Bull within the – however No 2 Sergio Perez’s torrid season – emphasises the completely different skillset and mentality wanted this yr.
A big chunk of the European summer season swing was characterised by ‘injury limitation.’ He began eleventh in Belgium after an engine penalty and nonetheless completed fourth, above Norris. Whereas the Brit to win in Monza, Verstappen completed simply three locations behind his rival. Even when Norris claimed victories in Zandvoort and Singapore, he solely capitalised by eight factors – with Verstappen standing subsequent to him on the rostrum in second.
F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton – 7
Juan Manuel Fangio – 5
Alain Prost, Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen – 4
With a string of aggressive groups this yr – and 7 completely different race winners – this yr has examined Verstappen’s resolve within the face of adversity. His sharp focus and phenomenal driving attributes meant Norris by no means truly obtained inside 40 factors of him. And meant the in Brazil three weeks’ in the past was a de facto title-clinching drive.
However trying forward, what a extremely combative 2024 marketing campaign means for subsequent yr is fascinating. There’s a very real prospect that 4 groups, maybe 5 with Adrian Newey becoming a member of Aston Martin, could possibly be frequently battling for victories in 2025. Once you add Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes expertise (who has been in comparison with a younger Verstappen) into the concoction of wildcard elements, it’s arrange for an exhilarating season.
5 particular person F1 titles in a row has solely been completed as soon as earlier than, with Schumacher’s streak at Ferrari initially of the century. In fact, Hamilton got here agonisingly shut in 2021. However matching the legendary German subsequent yr would put Verstappen in a category even swankier than the lofty heights he at the moment sits in. And put him firmly within the debate to be the ‘biggest of all time.’
Nonetheless, information don’t inspire him. He has stated this on a number of events, alongside threats to , and his standing in F1 past the top of his present contract in 2028 is considerably doubtful. On some ranges, maybe that’s unsurprising. Even on the prime age of 27, this yr represented his tenth season in a row within the F1 globe-trotting circus. He’s already made it clear he doesn’t need to race deep into his 30s.
However you by no means know what’s across the nook: 2025 could possibly be Verstappen’s finest alternative to win one other title within the subsequent 5 years. Sebastian Vettel received 4 on the spin at Crimson Bull and no extra. New engine and chassis laws come into power in 2026; a yr when Crimson Bull are producing their very own energy unit for the primary time, alongside American automotive large Ford. That may present a contemporary problem in itself.
Mercedes are already full steam forward for these subsequent algorithm, particularly after their butchering of the present set of laws. Newey might be casting a stern eye on ‘26 too at Aston, whereas Ferrari and McLaren have poached a few of the sport’s main aerodynamic minds.
However what this season proved past all doubt is that Verstappen doesn’t want the quickest automotive to overcome 24 races – a to McLaren boss Zak Brown stay on Sky Sports activities.
If he’s merely within the dogfight, with a sweet-tasting bone of 5 in a row in his sight, you’d be daring to wager in opposition to him subsequent yr.
