Max Verstappen’s fourth F1 title and the reality even his fiercest critics cannot deny

Only fierce tribalism or simply plain denial would now prevent even Max Verstappen’s most vocal critics from admitting he is one of the best Formula 1 has ever seen

The first emotion Max Verstappen could vocalise after becoming a four-time world champion was relief.

It said a lot about how the competition is improving all the time – and about the strength of Lando Norris’ title challenge. The numbers alone suggest a different story. That Verstappen sealed the championship with two rounds in hand, is 63 points clear of Norris and has won eight races this year might suggest another stroll to the title.

But while the first 10 races were again dominated by the Dutchman – he won seven of them – Red Bull’s declining performance and constant improvement from those chasing them meant Verstappen had to be at his very best to get the job done.

In reality, he did so earlier this month with his jaw-dropping drive from 17th to win in Brazil. Getting over the line was just a formality and, as McLaren struggled for pace in Las Vegas, he did so without breaking a sweat. Verstappen has undeniably been assisted by the fact Norris and his team were far from the only ones who developed themselves into regular contention for race wins.

With Red Bull struggling, had Norris and McLaren been in a class of their own, the Brit might have been celebrating a maiden championship success this year instead. But the competition has been fierce. Seven of the eight drivers representing the top four teams have now won multiple races in 2024, after George Russell hit the jackpot in Sin City.

No wonder team boss Christian Horner declared it his driver’s “best and hardest world championship”. F1 heads into its final year of the current regulations cycle next season and, as teams will be focused on their 2026 development, it sets up another mouth-watering battle with up to eight drivers involved.

Verstappen will surely be one of them having now joined Lewis Hamilton as one of only six drivers in F1 history to have won four or more titles. The Red Bull racer will always be a divisive figure, especially among fans of Hamilton who still cannot forgive the way the Brit was denied the title in 2021, when Verstappen won his first.

And there have been moments of controversy this year, too, like the collision with Norris while fighting for the win in Austria, and his over-the-limit defending against his challenger in Austin and Mexico. But now, only fierce tribalism or simply plain denial would prevent even his most vocal critics from admitting he is one of the best F1 has ever seen.

Verstappen is now tied with former Red Bull talisman Sebastian Vettel and French racing legend Alain Prost on four drivers’ titles. And he is still only 27, meaning the record of seven jointly held by Hamilton and Michael Schumacher is certainly within reach.

For Norris, two years his junior, the wait goes on for another year. Summarising the outcome, he said: “When Max had the quickest car he dominated, and when he didn’t he was still there and always on my heels.” Clearly, he at least knows what he needs to do to get the job done next time.