Breaking: Verstappen facing huge loss as FIA BOMBSHELL announcement confirms grid ch...

Verstappen Faces Financial Hit Despite Fourth F1 Championship as FIA Announces Grid Shakeup

Max Verstappen, despite securing his fourth Formula 1 World Championship at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, is on course for a significant financial loss. Verstappen’s latest title win, while impressive, comes after one of the most challenging seasons in his career, with McLaren and their rising star Lando Norris pushing him to the very end. Verstappen’s consistency and his team’s perseverance in the face of adversity ultimately helped him clinch the title. However, a combination of reduced race victories and performance issues within Red Bull Racing means that the Dutchman’s earnings for 2024 are expected to be notably lower than last year’s.

Verstappen’s 2024 season has been anything but smooth. After enjoying a dominant 2023 campaign, where he achieved 19 victories out of 22 races, 2024 has seen Red Bull struggle more than anticipated. McLaren, in particular, emerged as a major threat throughout the season, with Lando Norris consistently challenging Verstappen. However, despite Red Bull’s fluctuating form, Verstappen managed to secure crucial points through consistent performances. This was no easy feat, as his rivals, especially McLaren and Norris, gained momentum and began to outpace Red Bull at several races.

The tension between the two drivers peaked towards the latter stages of the season, culminating in a close battle for the championship. While Norris and McLaren appeared poised to challenge for the title, their performance in the final rounds fell short of what was needed to take the crown. Verstappen’s ability to capitalize on McLaren’s weaknesses, combined with his crucial win at the Brazilian Grand Prix, helped secure him the title before the season finale.

At the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen finished P5, while Norris managed P6. This result was enough to hand Verstappen his fourth consecutive world title. Norris, despite his best efforts, will now have to set his sights on 2025 in hopes of capturing his first-ever Formula 1 championship.

While Verstappen’s championship triumph is an incredible personal and professional achievement, it has been reported that his financial earnings for the 2024 season will take a significant hit compared to 2023. The Dutchman’s dominant 2023 season saw him rake in considerable bonuses due to his staggering 19 race wins. Forbes estimated that Verstappen earned approximately €81 million (around £67 million) in total that year, with each race victory contributing €1.5 million to his income. This, combined with podium bonuses, made Verstappen the highest-paid driver in Formula 1.

However, the story in 2024 has been different. Due to Red Bull’s struggles and a more competitive grid, Verstappen has only managed to secure eight race victories this season. While eight wins are still impressive, they pale in comparison to his previous tally, resulting in significantly reduced bonus earnings. According to a report from Marca, Verstappen is expected to receive around €12 million in bonuses for his 2024 performance. His total salary for the year is estimated to be €67 million (approximately £56 million), which is a notable drop from his 2023 income.

Despite this dip in earnings, Verstappen will still remain the highest-paid driver on the grid, comfortably ahead of his rivals. However, the financial hit may be an indication of the more competitive nature of Formula 1 in 2024, with teams like McLaren making significant progress in challenging Red Bull’s dominance.

As the season draws to a close, the focus now shifts to 2025. Lando Norris and McLaren have proven to be formidable challengers, and with Red Bull facing difficulties in maintaining their previous level of dominance, the competition for next year’s championship promises to be intense. Verstappen, while celebrating his fourth world title, will undoubtedly be looking to address the issues that plagued Red Bull’s 2024 season in order to defend his crown and return to the level of dominance he enjoyed in previous years. Meanwhile, Norris will be eager to build on his successes this season and continue his pursuit of a maiden world title.

In the backdrop of these developments, the FIA’s latest announcement concerning grid changes adds further intrigue to the upcoming season, though the exact details and implications of the changes are yet to be fully revealed. Nonetheless, the 2025 Formula 1 season promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with Verstappen, Norris, and other rising stars all vying for the ultimate prize in motorsport.