As the checkered flag waved at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Max Verstappen crossed the finish line to secure not just the race victory, but also his fourth Formula One World Championship title. The Dutch sensation’s journey to this momentous achievement was far from smooth, as he had to battle through a season filled with unexpected challenges and fierce competition.
Early Dominance and Brewing Troubles
The 2024 season began with Verstappen in familiar territory – at the front of the pack. In the opening round in Bahrain, he showcased his raw speed and confidence, often maintaining a staggering lead of up to a second per lap over his rivals. Wins followed in four of the first five races, with only a brake issue in Australia preventing a clean sweep.
However, cracks began to appear in the Red Bull armor at the Miami Grand Prix. McLaren, with their heavily upgraded car, emerged as a genuine threat to Verstappen’s dominance. Coupled with the Dutchman’s complaints about a lack of grip and the shock announcement of Adrian Newey’s impending departure from the team, the tide seemed to be turning.
Battling an “Undriveable Monster”
As the season progressed, Verstappen found himself grappling with a car he described as an “undriveable monster.” Red Bull’s attempts to chase performance gains through upgrades only seemed to exacerbate the issues, upsetting the car’s balance and causing excessive tire degradation. The once-dominant RB20 was a shadow of its former self, with Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez struggling to even score points in the same machinery.
Despite the challenges, Verstappen refused to relent. Through sheer determination and his exceptional driving skills, he ground out crucial results, consistently finishing on the podium and limiting the points loss to his main rival, Lando Norris. While his racing was not always clean, with some controversial moves drawing criticism, Verstappen’s never-say-die attitude kept him in the title fight.
“I always demand a lot from myself,” Verstappen explained. “I hate making mistakes. I put that pressure on myself every weekend. If you want to win a championship, you cannot afford bad results.”
The Turning Point in Brazil
Verstappen’s season reached its lowest point at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where he finished a distant sixth, labeling his car as an “undriveable monster” in a post-race interview. However, the turning point came at the following race in Brazil, where Verstappen delivered a masterclass in wet-weather driving to claim victory from 17th on the grid.
In treacherous conditions that caught out many of his rivals, including Norris, who could only manage sixth, Verstappen’s supreme car control and pace shone through. He scythed through the field, building a commanding 20-second lead by the checkered flag. It was a performance that all but sealed the championship in his favor and underscored the level at which he had been operating throughout the season.
Cementing His Legacy
With his fourth world title secured, Verstappen has firmly established himself as one of the greatest drivers in Formula One history. His ability to extract the maximum from a difficult car, coupled with his unwavering determination and raw speed, sets him apart from his peers.
As Lando Norris, his closest challenger this season, put it: “If you want to beat Max, you have to be close to perfect. He is one of the best the sport will ever see.”
Looking ahead, Verstappen’s dominance shows no signs of abating. With Red Bull Racing undoubtedly working to rectify the issues that plagued their 2024 campaign, the Dutchman will once again be the man to beat in the coming seasons. For his rivals, the task of dethroning King Max has never seemed more daunting.
