Breaking: Verstappen delivers BRUTAL clapback at rival F1 chief live on air at Las Vegas GP as suspension P.....

Max Verstappen Fires Back at Rival F1 Boss with Brutal On-Air Retort at Las Vegas Grand Prix

Max Verstappen added another chapter to his already impressive Formula 1 career by clinching his fourth world championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. However, his achievement wasn’t the only headline from the weekend. The Dutchman also delivered a sharp, yet humorous, on-air response to McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who had interrupted Verstappen’s live interview to congratulate him on his title.

The 2024 season has been one of Verstappen’s most challenging title fights, a stark contrast to the previous year when he dominated by winning 19 out of 23 races. Despite Red Bull’s performance struggles and the resurgence of competitors like McLaren and Ferrari, Verstappen displayed remarkable consistency, particularly in the latter part of the season. His victory in Brazil played a crucial role in securing his title, as he managed to fend off his closest rival, McLaren’s Lando Norris, for the championship.

The Tense Yet Respectful Rivalry

McLaren, though disappointed by the end of their drivers’ title challenge, still have plenty to fight for. They remain in a tight battle with Ferrari for second place in the constructors’ standings, a fight that will likely continue into the final races of the season. Despite their setback in the drivers’ championship, McLaren’s resurgence, led by Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri, has been one of the highlights of the 2024 season.

In the midst of this tense rivalry, Verstappen’s playful yet biting exchange with Brown during the Las Vegas Grand Prix post-race interviews was a notable moment. As Verstappen was being interviewed by Sky Sports following his title win, Brown approached him to offer congratulations with a warm hug. What followed was a lighthearted but pointed comment from Verstappen.

Brown, recalling previous discussions where critics suggested that Verstappen could only win in the fastest car, congratulated him for his success this year despite Red Bull’s ups and downs. In response, Verstappen quipped, “Like you said, before I could only win it in the fastest car. This year has been a little bit different.”

The remark was a cheeky acknowledgment of the narrative that had surrounded Verstappen in recent years—that his dominance was largely due to Red Bull’s superior machinery. But in 2024, Verstappen proved that even when Red Bull struggled, he could still deliver championship-worthy performances.

Verstappen’s Toughest Title Battle Yet

This season was a marked contrast to the previous year, which saw Verstappen cruise to victory with minimal resistance. In 2023, Red Bull’s superiority was unquestionable, and Verstappen capitalized on their dominance to win 19 out of 23 races—a record-breaking performance. However, 2024 was much closer, with Norris in particular pushing Verstappen until the latter stages of the season.

Red Bull’s decline in performance mid-season allowed McLaren and Ferrari to close the gap, making the title race more competitive than anticipated. Verstappen, however, maintained his composure throughout, securing important wins at crucial moments. His victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix and his ability to maximize points in races where Red Bull was less competitive ultimately tipped the scales in his favor.

Despite this, McLaren’s resurgence, led by the consistently impressive performances of Norris and Piastri, remained a thorn in Red Bull’s side throughout the season. While Norris fell short of clinching the drivers’ title, his and McLaren’s progress will undoubtedly be a talking point heading into the 2025 season.

A Moment of Levity in Victory

The exchange between Verstappen and Brown encapsulated the spirit of friendly rivalry that has defined much of this season. While there has been fierce competition between McLaren and Red Bull on the track, there remains mutual respect between the teams and their drivers. Verstappen’s comment, though playful, highlighted the challenges he faced this season and his satisfaction in proving that he could win even when Red Bull wasn’t the fastest car on the grid.

As Verstappen celebrated his fourth championship in Las Vegas, the atmosphere was one of both celebration and reflection. He has firmly established himself as one of the sport’s greats, and with more years ahead of him, the prospect of further championships looms large. But for now, Verstappen can enjoy the moment, knowing that 2024 was one of his most hard-fought and rewarding seasons yet.