F1 News Today: Verstappen delivers championship DIG as FIA penalty verdict announced...

F1 News: Verstappen Fires Championship Dig as FIA Penalty Verdict Announced

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen couldn’t resist taunting one of his title rivals following the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Dutch driver, who went into the weekend knowing that finishing ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris would clinch him his fourth consecutive world championship, delivered exactly what was needed, despite not securing a podium finish. With a P5 finish in Nevada, Verstappen ensured his championship, while Norris followed behind in P6, officially ending the title battle.

Even though Red Bull had an unusually challenging weekend in terms of pace, Verstappen’s championship was never really in doubt. After crossing the finish line and confirming his status as the 2024 world champion, the Dutchman seemed in high spirits, and he made sure to have some fun at the expense of McLaren boss Zak Brown.

The tension between Verstappen and Zak Brown had been simmering since Brown’s comments on the Beyond the Grid podcast. While Brown acknowledged Verstappen’s immense talent and even described him as one of the greatest drivers ever, he also made a pointed remark, suggesting that Verstappen wouldn’t have been able to win a world championship in any other car but Red Bull’s. This statement clearly stuck with Verstappen, who wasted no time in responding during the Las Vegas weekend.

After securing his title, Verstappen playfully took a swipe at Brown when the McLaren chief congratulated him. The Red Bull driver didn’t stop there, however. Speaking to Dutch media later in the day, he went further, boasting that had he been driving McLaren’s car, the title battle wouldn’t have even lasted this long. “Would I have become champion in the McLaren? Yes! And much earlier too,” Verstappen told De Telegraaf, confidently asserting that he would have wrapped up the title long before the Las Vegas race if he were driving for McLaren.

Reflecting on his overall success, Verstappen acknowledged how the 2024 season unfolded differently compared to previous years. While many expected the title fight to go down to the wire, Verstappen admitted that a pivotal moment came in the Brazilian Grand Prix when rain played a crucial role. “I thought we would have to fight until the last moment, but then luckily the rain came in Brazil. That was a good thing,” he remarked, hinting that the changing conditions at that race helped cement his advantage.

With the title secured and no more pressure heading into the final two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, Verstappen was able to fully enjoy the moment. The Dutchman, who is known for his competitive edge and laser focus, allowed himself to relax and enjoy some celebratory drinks. “I’ve had four beers and two gin and tonics now,” he revealed, expressing his relief after a long and challenging season. “The race wasn’t great, but actually a bit better than expected,” he added, reflecting on the Las Vegas GP itself. Despite not having the best performance on the day, Verstappen was satisfied with the outcome.

Looking ahead, Verstappen made it clear that while the pressure of the championship is off, he still intends to deliver strong performances in the remaining races. “It’s nice that it’s over now and we can go into the last races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi fairly relaxed,” he said, but quickly added, “I still want to achieve a few nice results there.”

With Max Verstappen securing his fourth consecutive championship in Las Vegas, the 2024 Formula 1 season has seen another dominant display from the Dutchman. His playful digs at Zak Brown highlight the competitive nature that has driven him to the top, while his comments about continuing to push in the final races suggest that he’s not ready to slow down just yet. Fans can now look forward to seeing Verstappen race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi with the title already in hand, as the final battles of the season play out on the track.