Max Verstappen clinched his fourth Formula 1 World Championship under the glittering lights of Las Vegas with an unassuming fifth-place finish. While a celebratory podium may have been a more traditional way to crown a champion, the race perfectly reflected a season defined by determination as much as dominance.
This championship stood apart from Verstappen’s three previous triumphs. The battles were less glamorous, and the victories were harder won. His dramatic showdown with Lewis Hamilton in 2021 will always hold a special place in F1 lore, and his crushing dominance across 2022 and 2023, marked by 34 wins in 44 races, heralded him as an unstoppable force. But in 2024, Verstappen faced a different test—one that challenged his grit, resilience, and adaptability. For large parts of the year, winning individual races wasn't a guarantee, forcing Verstappen to dig deep, adapt, and extract every ounce of performance from his car.
Red Bull’s season began under a cloud of off-track controversy. Team principal Christian Horner faced allegations of misconduct, which, though disproven by an internal investigation, ignited a power struggle within the team. Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, escalated matters by publicly calling for Horner’s resignation, generating headlines that overshadowed Red Bull’s success in the early races.
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At the same time, the team was hit with news that legendary designer Adrian Newey would depart in 2025. His much-anticipated exit raised questions about Red Bull’s long-term competitiveness, adding pressure to make this championship count.
Despite the internal turbulence, Verstappen dominated the opening stages of the season, winning four of the first five races. Yet, even this strong start couldn’t insulate Red Bull from the looming threat of McLaren. A significant upgrade to Lando Norris’ car by the Miami Grand Prix revealed vulnerabilities in Red Bull's RB20 that had been masked by a lack of competition earlier in the season. What followed was an unfamiliar scenario for Verstappen—he no longer had the fastest car on the grid.
By mid-season, Verstappen's 25-point lead over teammate Sergio Pérez and a comfortable 62-point advantage over Norris had begun to erode. The realization set in that Red Bull’s technical superiority had waned, leaving Verstappen to summon every ounce of his skill and mental fortitude.
Reflecting on the season in Las Vegas, Verstappen said, “I’m very proud of this season, because for 70% of it, we didn’t have the fastest car. Yet we managed to extend our lead. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”
He pinpointed the Miami Grand Prix as the turning point. “From Miami onwards, most of the time we were not the quickest anymore, and Miami came early in the season,” Verstappen explained. “Fifty, sixty points can very easily disappear if you make mistakes, so staying consistent and maximizing results was crucial.”
Verstappen’s eight victories in 2024—more than double those of any other driver—demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure. Among his standout performances was a rain-soaked masterclass in Brazil, where he took an unlikely win, as well as triumphant drives in Spain and Canada against mounting odds. However, it was the steady accumulation of podium finishes during tougher weekends that ultimately secured the title. Through the summer months, when the RB20 struggled for pace, Verstappen still managed second-place finishes at Silverstone and Zandvoort, ensuring his lead remained intact.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, highlighted Verstappen's growth both on and off the track. “Behind the scenes, Max put in a massive amount of effort with the engineers and on the simulator—more than in any previous year. His maturity, composure, and willingness to dig deep were phenomenal,” Horner said. “Not only has he been brilliant in the cockpit, but he’s inspired the team during some really tough moments.”
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The difficulty of the season tested Verstappen’s resolve like never before. “It was a very challenging season," he admitted. “At times, I had to be calm, which isn’t always easy when things are tough. Last year I enjoyed everything more because we had the fastest car. This season, though, taught me a lot of lessons that I’m proud of. It showed me how important it is to keep working with your team to fix problems instead of giving up.”
Verstappen revealed the struggles of persevering through tough moments with a car that was “really difficult to drive.” He explained, “It can be demotivating. You start thinking, ‘Whatever, I give up on this.’ But those moments are exactly when you need to push harder. If you give up then, you lose the championship.”
This tenacity—both in his driving and his attitude—cemented Verstappen’s standing among F1’s all-time greats. Horner argued that this season, more than any other, solidified Verstappen’s legacy. “He has more than double the wins of any other driver this year. He’s won with two races to go despite the challenges we faced, and I think that unquestionably puts him among the sport’s legends.”
Amid the chaos, Verstappen’s sense of humor and grounded personality shone through. Celebrating his title in Las Vegas, he was asked how he planned to mark the occasion. Holding an empty can of Heineken, he grinned and quipped, “I ran out of beer. Maybe I’ll get another one… and then maybe switch to something else.”
At the end of one of his most grueling seasons to date, Verstappen admitted to a sense of relief. “Honestly, when I crossed the line, I was just very relieved. I thought, ‘It’s over.’ This season has been tough, but we did it.”
With four world titles under his belt at just 27 years old, Verstappen has already cemented his place in Formula 1 history. Yet, if the gritty nature of his 2024 triumph has shown anything, it’s that Verstappen is still learning and evolving as a driver. The challenges and lessons of this season might just make him even harder to beat in the years ahead. For now, though, the world champion can enjoy a well-earned break before the battle resumes.
