Max Verstappen has clinched the Formula 1 championship ahead of schedule.

The 26-year-old Russell started from pole position, allowing him to confidently lead the race. This victory marked the third of his career for the British driver. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) finished in fifth place, but that was enough for him to secure the championship title. The Dutch driver had a 62-point lead over Lando Norris, but the McLaren driver finished behind Max, ultimately losing his chances for victory.

2024-11-24 10:35:21https://zaxid.net/maks_ferstappen_dostrokovo_stav_chempionom_formuli_1_n1598422

On Sunday, November 24, the Las Vegas Grand Prix took place, with Mercedes representative George Russell emerging as the winner. His teammate Lewis Hamilton finished in second place, while Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz crossed the line in third.

The 26-year-old Russell started from pole position, allowing him to lead the race confidently. This victory marked his third career win. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) finished in fifth place, which was enough for him to secure the championship. The Dutchman had a 62-point lead over Lando Norris, but the McLaren driver finished behind Max and ultimately lost his chance for victory.

27-year-old Verstappen has now become world champion for the fourth consecutive season, catching up with Frenchman Alain Prost and German Sebastian Vettel. Only Juan Manuel Fangio (5 titles), Michael Schumacher, and Lewis Hamilton (7 championships each) surpass him in the number of titles.

Interestingly, before Verstappen, only a few drivers had managed to win four consecutive titles. The first to achieve this was Argentine Fangio from 1954 to 1957, followed by Sebastian Vettel (2010-2013) and Lewis Hamilton (2017-2020). The record for the most consecutive titles remains with the "red baron" Michael Schumacher – 5 consecutive championships from 2000 to 2004.

Las Vegas Grand Prix, top 10:

1. George Russell (Mercedes) – 50 laps
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +7.313 sec.
3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +11.906 sec.
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +14.283 sec.
5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +16.582 sec.
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) +43.385 sec.
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +51.365 sec.
8. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) +59.808 sec.
9. Yuki Tsunoda (RB) +1:02.808 sec.
10. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +1:03.114

Did not finish:

Alexander Albon (Williams)
Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

Overall drivers' standings, points:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 403
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 340
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 319
4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 268
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 259
6. George Russell (Mercedes) – 217
7. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 208
8. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – 152
9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 62
10. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) – 35

In the Constructors' Cup, Ferrari is in second place, reducing the gap with McLaren to 24 points.

Constructors' Cup, points:

1. McLaren – 608
2. Ferrari – 584
3. Red Bull – 555
4. Mercedes – 425
5. Aston Martin – 86
6. Haas – 50
7. Alpine – 49
8. RB – 46
9. Williams – 17
10. Sauber – 0

As a reminder, the next Grand Prix will take place in a week on December 1 in Qatar.