Max Verstappen has cemented his legacy as one of Formula 1’s greatest, clinching his fourth consecutive world championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Despite a season plagued with adversity, Verstappen overcame challenges from McLaren and Ferrari to secure the crown with two races to spare, prompting Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko to lavish praise on the 27-year-old’s unparalleled driving prowess.
“A Season of Peaks and Valleys”
The 2024 campaign began with Verstappen dominating the field, winning seven of the first 10 races. But a mid-season slump saw Red Bull’s RB20 falter, plagued by understeer and outclassed by rival teams like McLaren and Ferrari. The turning point came at the Italian GP, where the once-dominant Red Bull struggled to maintain its competitive edge.
“That’s when the alarm bells really went off,” Marko admitted. “We knew that a lot had to change.”
Despite these challenges, Verstappen rose above, delivering consistent performances that kept him ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris. A defining moment came in Brazil, where he stormed from 17th on the grid to claim victory in treacherous wet conditions, proving that his brilliance could outshine the car’s shortcomings.
“A Driver’s Championship, Not a Team’s”
Marko was unequivocal in attributing Verstappen’s success to the driver himself rather than Red Bull’s engineering might.
“I always say that a driver makes the difference. This title is clearly more the merit of the driver than of the team. He really won a lot of races himself,” Marko declared.
The Austrian’s comments come in stark contrast to whispers that Verstappen’s earlier titles were merely a product of Adrian Newey’s technical genius. The 2024 season laid those doubts to rest, as Verstappen extracted maximum performance from a car that was, at times, the fourth fastest on the grid.
“Calm Amid Chaos”
Verstappen’s mental resilience and racecraft impressed Marko, particularly in a season where controversies and technical struggles tested Red Bull’s mettle.
“This season, the wake-up call may have come too late,” Marko acknowledged. “He managed to disguise the car’s weakness through his incredible talent. He remained calm and always got the most out of it. He used his brain when he needed to.”
The Dutchman’s ability to navigate adversity has elevated his status among the sport’s all-time greats. His triumph places him alongside legends like Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost, each with four championships to their name.
“2024: A Season for the History Books”
With Verstappen leading the Drivers’ Championship by 63 points and Red Bull mathematically out of the Constructors’ fight, the focus shifts to celebrating Verstappen’s individual brilliance. This title, Marko insists, is a testament to Verstappen’s unmatched skill and determination.
“Am I most proud of this title, after everything that has happened this year? Yes, definitely,” Marko concluded. “It was a very difficult year, with a lot of different difficult situations, but we stayed together.”
“Legacy Sealed”
As the F1 circus prepares for its final two rounds, Verstappen’s 2024 championship stands as a defining moment in his career. More than just another accolade, it’s a testament to his ability to adapt, persevere, and shine—even when the odds were stacked against him.