As the 2024 Formula 1 season hurtles toward its conclusion, reigning champion Max Verstappen finds himself on the brink of a historic fourth consecutive drivers’ championship. With 393 points in the bag and a commanding 62-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris, Verstappen has a golden opportunity to seal the deal under the dazzling lights of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Villeneuve’s Verdict: “Verstappen’s Title to Lose”
1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has confidently backed Verstappen to wrap up the championship in Sin City.
“If Verstappen wins in Las Vegas, that’s a great place to win the title! The odds are very much in Max’s favor. He just has to finish it off,” Villeneuve remarked.
“If he wins in Vegas, he’s the rightful champion. Without a doubt. But it was still a great championship, and it was unexpected that someone would take on Red Bull and Max.”
Villeneuve also praised Norris for his resilience and relentless pursuit of the championship. Despite Verstappen’s lead, the McLaren ace has delivered a spectacular campaign, accumulating 331 points to mount the most serious challenge Red Bull has faced in years.
“Whatever happens until the end of the season, it was a great battle. And whoever wins, they are both deserving champions.”
Verstappen’s Road to the Title
The 2024 season has been anything but smooth for Verstappen. With Red Bull’s RB20 plagued by inconsistency, the Dutchman has had to rely on raw talent, tactical brilliance, and grit to stay ahead of Norris and McLaren’s resurgent force. Despite these challenges, Verstappen has demonstrated the championship pedigree that has defined his career.
A victory in Las Vegas would not only secure the title but also cement Verstappen’s place in F1 history alongside Sebastian Vettel, who achieved four consecutive titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013.
Norris’s Fight and McLaren’s Resurgence
For Norris, 2024 has been a breakthrough year. Armed with the fastest car on the grid, McLaren’s prodigy has come tantalizingly close to dethroning Verstappen. While the odds are stacked against him heading into the final stretch, Norris has proven he has what it takes to be a future world champion.
Villeneuve believes Norris’s determination will make him an even stronger contender in 2025.
“The Woking-based McLaren outfit currently has the fastest car on the grid, and if this happens to be the case again, Lando might finally be able to amass his maiden world title next year.”
Las Vegas: The Perfect Stage for F1 Drama
The inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix promises a spectacle befitting this season’s dramatic narrative. With the championship on the line, all eyes will be on Verstappen and Norris as they battle for supremacy on the sport’s biggest stage.
Will Max Verstappen solidify his legacy with a record-tying fourth title? Or can Lando Norris conjure a last-minute miracle to snatch the crown? Vegas is ready for the ultimate showdown.