Max Verstappen became a four-time Formula 1 world champion under the lights of Las Vegas and he praised Red Bull for the amazing work that has been done in 2024.
After an outstanding start to the season, the Milton Keynes outfit went through difficult times when other teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren found more performance and put them under pressure. Despite that, both Verstappen and the team managed to keep everything under control to secure the Dutch’s fourth title in a row.
“It has been a long season, we started off amazing, almost cruising, but then we had a tough run, but as a team we kept it together, we kept working on the improvements and pulled it out,” Verstappen explained.
“I’m proud of what everyone has done for me, and to stand here as a four-time world champion is something I never thought was possible, I am relieved but also very proud.
“I was just happy to be [in F1], dreaming of potential victories or standing on the podium, all the normal things that are very difficult to achieve, and then to go on this run after a tough few years where we kept trying and then to hit the ground running with a concept, to be standing here as a four-time world champion is incredible.”
The Red Bull driver stressed how important this season was for his personal growth, too, highlighting how much the team has helped him achieve another incredible result.
“It was a very challenging season, I think also as a person at times, it’s very challenging and I had to be calm, but this season taught me a lot of lessons that I am very proud of, and how we handled it as a team, that makes it very special.
“I think [the fans] got a bit spoiled last year with all the wins, so they had to wait for it a long time in the middle of the season, and it great to see them again here as well.
“To the team, what can I say? I mean, we have been through a lot together and all these highs that we are achieving right now is just very very special to do that with all the group of people that we have here at the track and back at the factory that are continuously pushing flat out to give me the car to fight for a title and to do that four times in a row is very special.”