Max Verstappen admitted he “by no means thought” he would win 4 world titles after wrapping up the 2024 System One championship underneath the Las Vegas lights.
Verstappen’s success ushered him into an elite membership alongside Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Alain Prost as a four-time champion.
Seven wins within the opening 10 races launched Verstappen to this success, however he wanted to beat a mid-season run of ten with out a win earlier than victory in a rain-hit race in Brazil arrange his fourth title.
“At 17, I used to be simply completely happy to be there and dreaming of potential victories and standing on the rostrum, simply regular issues which can be already very troublesome to attain,” stated the 27-year-old Dutchman whose fifth-place race end in Las Vegas was sufficient to ensure the title.
“It was a really difficult season and for me additionally as an individual at occasions it was very difficult and I needed to be calm. In a means I nonetheless favor final season, I loved it quite a bit, however I believe this season it has taught me a number of classes.
“I’m very pleased with us as a group and in a means that makes it a really particular and exquisite season. It has been so aggressive this time. A particular season. An exquisite season.”
Verstappen additionally dominated out hypothesis that he might go away Crimson Bull, the group which has nurtured his expertise and brought him to the highest of the game.
“We have been by quite a bit and that is particular – however it is going to be a correct battle subsequent 12 months with a number of vehicles concerned so I’m going to get pleasure from this.
“For me I am simply very proud to be a part of the group and we are actually celebrating our fourth world title collectively. There’s undoubtedly nothing on my thoughts. Nothing else on my thoughts.”
Verstappen has been on high of the world championship in an unbroken run because the Spanish Grand Prix in 2022.
“It is unimaginable, he is carried out a tremendous job,” stated Crimson Bull group chief Christian Horner. “He is been excellent all 12 months and we’re simply very pleased with him.
“He is received eight Grand Prix and the championship with two races to spare and you’ll’t ask for greater than that. He is solely simply turned 27 and he is within the type of his life so so long as we are able to preserve giving him a good automobile then he’ll preserve delivering.”
Norris, who pushed Verstappen to the restrict within the second half of the season, was sixth within the race, a spot behind his rival.
“Congrats to Max, as a lot because it hurts a bit bit, saying congrats would not harm, however understanding the championship is 100% over you at all times have a bit hope inside,” stated the Englishman.
“He drove an unimaginable season and when you have got the quickest automobile he dominated and when he did not he was nonetheless there and at all times on my heels. He made my life robust, we made his robust at occasions I am positive however he drove a greater season.”
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