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Verstappen hits the jackpot in Las Vegas as Mercedes complete one-two
Max Verstappen hit the jackpot at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix as he secured a fourth Formula 1 World Championship. On a normal Grand Prix day, the Dutchman would be disappointed to finish fifth, but he crucially stayed ahead of Lando Norris to secure the title. Mercedes were absolutely rapid in the 'Sin City'. George Russell cruised to victory from pole, as Lewis Hamilton worked his way through to P2 from 10th on the grid. Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium.
Norris has lost World Championship points throughout the season due to strategy errors, bad luck and, crucially, his own mistakes. However, in Las Vegas, the McLaren car simply wasn't quick enough to compete against Ferrari, Mercedes and Verstappen. He will now have to go and learn the lessons quickly. He has an important 2025 season ahead because it's uncertain how competitive McLaren will be when the rules and regulation changes are introduced in 2026.
Verstappen completed a mature drive. He knew his goal in Las Vegas and didn't get distracted by a rapid Lewis Hamilton coming by. The Dutchman refused to engage in a pointless duel against his 2021 rival, who was clearly quicker. He almost waved him through. Verstappen now joins Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel with four World Championship titles in Formula 1.
Meanwhile, Ferrari closed the gap to McLaren in the Constructors' World Championship. The Italian team is on form with two Grands Prix and one sprint race remaining. An intense battle between McLaren and Ferrari is on the horizon.
McLaren finished P6 and P7, with Leclerc in 4th. There was a place inside the top eight for Nico Hulkenberg, as Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez rounded out the points finishers.
What happened during the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix?
George Russell qualified on pole position, alongside Carlos Sainz. Max Verstappen started in fifth, one place ahead of his closest title rival, Lando Norris. Pierre Gasly rounded out the top three. There is a space on the second row for Charles Leclerc. The top 14 drivers started on the medium tyres. Perez, in 15th, started on the hard tyres. Russell got off the line well, as Leclerc launched himself into P2. Norris and Verstappen went into turn one side-by-side, with the Dutchman staying ahead. Piastri picked up a five-second penalty as he started outside his grid box.
Leclerc caught up with Russell after the Mercedes driver got a plastic bag caught on his car. But the Brit defended his lead and then advanced forward to create a two-second gap. Leclerc lost out to second to his teammate. Verstappen benefited by overtaking Gasly and then Leclerc, giving him a buffer to Norris after just nine laps. McLaren made the decision to pit Norris for hard tyres on lap ten as Verstappen moved into P2.
The hard tyres did not last as long as predicted, and the event turned into a two-stopper. Verstappen and Hamilton were the first two drivers to pit for a new set of hards. Hamilton made ground on the Dutchman after the pitstop and overtook him on lap 31. A Ferrari pitstop allowed Mercedes to take P1 and P2.