F1 Results Today: Mercedes take STUNNING 1-2 as Verstappen CROWNED champion at Las Vegas GP but as..

Mercedes Dominate Las Vegas Grand Prix as Verstappen Secures Fourth F1 Title

Max Verstappen clinched his fourth Formula 1 World Championship on Saturday night, despite finishing fifth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Mercedes stole the spotlight with a spectacular 1-2 finish, led by George Russell, who claimed his first victory of the 2024 season. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, charged through the field to secure second place, completing a perfect weekend for Mercedes.

While Verstappen didn’t claim a podium, his fifth-place finish was enough to guarantee the drivers’ championship title, as Lando Norris of McLaren came in sixth. Verstappen’s points lead became unassailable, allowing him to seal the title with two races remaining in the season.

Mercedes’ Triumph: Russell’s Redemption and Hamilton’s Charge

The Las Vegas Grand Prix marked an extraordinary performance from Mercedes. From the moment the lights went out, Russell was untouchable at the front of the pack. He executed a flawless race, holding off any challenge from behind to secure his first win of 2024.

Hamilton, who started 10th on the grid, delivered a masterclass in overtaking. The seven-time world champion methodically worked his way up the field, setting up an exciting finale as he chased down his teammate. Despite Hamilton’s impressive pace in the closing stages, Russell maintained his composure to ensure Mercedes finished with a much-needed 1-2, their best result of the year.

For Russell, this victory was a significant personal triumph after a season of near-misses and frustration. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s podium reaffirms that the veteran driver remains a force to be reckoned with, even as Mercedes continues to navigate a challenging season.

Ferrari Fight Back in Constructors’ Battle

Ferrari also enjoyed a strong performance, with both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finishing just off the podium in third and fourth positions, respectively. Their results have added much-needed points to Ferrari’s tally in the constructors’ championship, where they are currently locked in a fierce battle with McLaren.

The fight for second place in the constructors’ standings is still wide open. While Mercedes’ dominant performance puts them in contention, Ferrari’s haul of points in Las Vegas keeps them in the mix. Sainz and Leclerc’s consistent performance will be crucial as they attempt to close the gap on McLaren, who still lead the fight for second behind champions Red Bull.

Verstappen’s Fourth Title

While all eyes were on Mercedes, Verstappen’s fifth-place finish was all he needed to clinch his fourth consecutive drivers’ title. Coming into the race with a commanding points lead, Verstappen knew that finishing ahead of Norris would be enough to seal the championship, and that’s exactly what he did.

Although Verstappen has had a dominant season, with multiple wins and pole positions, the Las Vegas race was a more subdued affair for the Dutchman. He lacked the pace to challenge for victory but managed his race intelligently to secure the championship with minimal risk.

McLaren and the Rest of the Field

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured solid results for McLaren, finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. Norris, who started the race with hopes of extending the championship fight, couldn’t find the pace to match the Mercedes or Ferrari cars. However, his fastest lap was a small consolation, showing that McLaren still had some speed in their car.

Further down the order, Haas had a positive weekend with Nico Hulkenberg finishing eighth, while Yuki Tsunoda’s ninth place for VCARB continued his run of impressive performances. Fernando Alonso rounded out the top ten for Aston Martin.

Unfortunately, it was a tough race for some. Sergio Perez’s struggles continued with an 11th-place finish, while Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly were forced to retire, capping a disappointing weekend for Williams and Alpine.

Final Classification – Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024

1. George Russell (Mercedes)

2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

6. Lando Norris (McLaren)

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

8. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

9. Yuki Tsunoda (VCARB)

10. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)