Max Verstappen says his fourth consecutive world title got here after a “very difficult” season and he’s “hungry” to bid for extra success in 2025.
The Pink Bull driver’s fifth place within the Las Vegas Grand Prix put his factors whole past the attain of his closest rival, McLaren’s Lando Norris.
The Briton, who wanted to win not less than three extra factors than Verstappen to proceed the title struggle, completed sixth.
George Russell took a dominant victory forward of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
“It was a really difficult season,” Verstappen stated. “Additionally as an individual at occasions it was very difficult and I needed to be calm.
“In a method I nonetheless desire final season. I loved it loads, however I feel this season, it has taught me a whole lot of classes.
“I’m very happy with us as a group and in a method that makes it a really particular and exquisite season.”
When Verstappen gained 4 of the primary 5 races in 2024, it appeared as if he would keep on from final yr, when he and Pink Bull produced essentially the most dominant season in historical past.
As an alternative, from which level Verstappen needed to deal with consistency to make sure he saved his margin.
Norris closed in slowly over the second half of the season, as McLaren developed a constant edge on Pink Bull.
However three weeks in the past put him ready to win the title in Las Vegas and he sealed it on the first try.
“This yr we had the automotive operating nicely however we had a whole lot of robust races and that’s one thing I’m very happy with,” he stated.
“The races once we weren’t the quickest automotive, we saved it collectively as a group, labored very laborious, remained calm many of the occasions and barely made any errors.
“We actually maximised and perhaps overperformed in some locations, plus our opposition in a number of locations undoubtedly don’t seize the factors they need to have and all of these issues matter if you find yourself preventing for a championship.”
Verstappen was praised by his rivals, who all stated he deserved his title for such a robust season.
Norris stated: “He made some errors however over the course of the season that may be very few and that’s what makes him so good.
“He has not had a nasty qualifying or a nasty race. He simply will get every little thing out of the automotive and that is all the time spectacular to see, all the time issues to be taught.”
Verstappen stated he anticipated subsequent season to be “a correct battle between a whole lot of automobiles, however I’m hungry”.
Pink Bull group boss Christian Horner advised BBC Radio 5 Stay: “It is unbelievable, he is performed a tremendous job, he is been excellent all yr and we’re simply very happy with him, he is pushed brilliantly.
“He is gained eight grands prix, he is gained the World Championship with two races to go, you may’t ask for greater than that.
“He simply will get within the automotive and he delivers, he is an amazing human. It places him amongst the greats, statistics now put him there as nicely.
“He is solely simply turned 27 and he is within the type of his life so so long as we are able to maintain giving him a good automotive then he’ll maintain delivering.”
