F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Max Verstappen seals 2024 title as George Russell wins thrilling race
F1 live updates from Vegas as Verstappen claims fourth straight world title ahead of Lando Norris
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Max Verstappen was crowned F1 World Champion for the fourth time as the Dutchman finished above title rival Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver won his fourth straight title with two races to spare, as Norris can no longer catch Verstappen in the standings after he could only finish sixth.
Verstappen, meanwhile, finished fifth behind the Mercedes pair of George Russell, who won from pole, and Lewis Hamilton. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished third and second for Ferrari.
The 27-year-old has eight race wins this season, including a dominant run at the start of the year, but Norris closed the gap over the second half of the campaign. However, Verstappen delivered a crucial win in Brazil last week and produced another stellar drive in Las Vegas to retain the world title.
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Lando Norris, who starts P6...
“I don’t think any car feels good around here.
“The car has good pace, it’s going to be a challenging day.”
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Max Verstappen, ahead of what could be a title-winning night...
“It’s very windy, it’s very difficult to break.
“It’s still quite cold, it’s going to be tough on tyres.”
Typically focused answer from the Dutchman!
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Franco Colapinto, who starts in the pit-lane...
“I’m OK. A bit sore but ready to go. The boys did an amazing job to get the car on track. Very grateful.
“I start from the pit lane, long race ahead.”
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Time for the US National anthem!
For the third time this season then, it’s time for Star Spangled Banner ahead of the race!
Performed by Boyz II Men on the grid!
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Noah Lyles on Martin Brundle’s grid walk...
“I can’t even hear a thing. I was just chatting to my fiancee, you never see this is track and field.”
Driver Standings ahead of Las Vegas:
1. Max Verstappen - 393 points
2. Lando Norris - 331 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 307 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 262 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 244 points
6. George Russell - 192 points
7. Lewis Hamilton - 190 points
8. Sergio Perez - 151 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 31 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda - 28 points
12. Pierre Gasly - 26 points
13. Lance Stroll - 24 points
14. Esteban Ocon - 23 points
15. Kevin Magnussen - 14 points
16. Alex Albon - 12 points
17. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
18. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 5 points
20. Liam Lawson - 4 points
21. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
22. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
23. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton after qualifying P10...
“It is what it is.
“Conditions were great, nice and cool. It’s been really nice all weekend.
“I’m quite far back, see what I can do. Degradation is key.”
Lewis Hamilton rues Las Vegas qualifying errors: ‘I should have been on pole’
Lewis Hamilton admitted he threw away pole position for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix as team-mate George Russell stormed to top spot.
Hamilton will start only 10th in Sin City on Saturday night after he made mistakes on each of his flying laps. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz qualified second, with Pierre Gasly a surprise third for Alpine.
British driver Lando Norris must outscore Max Verstappen by three points to extend the title battle to the penultimate race in Qatar, but the McLaren driver will start one place behind the Dutchman in sixth.
Full quotes below:
Lewis Hamilton rues Las Vegas qualifying errors: ‘I should have been on pole’
Hamilton will start only 10th in Sin City on Saturday night after he made mistakes on each of his flying laps
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Pierre Gasly after qualifying P3
“It’s unbelievable, we didn’t think we could do that. An incredible lap, especially around this track. A lot of adrenaline and excitement. Really happy.
“I was getting cold in the car, I just wanted to get going. That last lap was the one that mattered. It felt great, great period for the team after the double podium in Brazil.”
How can Max Verstappen win the 2024 title?
There are now just 86 points available across the next three races in Vegas, Qatar (including the final sprint race of the season) and Abu Dhabi.
By the end of the weekend in Vegas, there will be just 60 points left to claim.
That means that if Verstappen simply finishes above Norris in Vegas, he will be crowned the 2024 champion. The Dutchman would also seal the title if both drivers fail to score a point.
Verstappen will also win the 2024 title if Norris does not outscore the Red Bull driver by more than two points.
As a result, Verstappen will be world champion in Sin City if:
- If Norris is second and he finishes third with the fastest lap
- If Norris is third and he finishes fourth with the fastest lap
- If Norris is fourth without the fastest lap and he finishes fifth
- If Norris is fifth without the fastest lap and he finishes sixth
- If Norris is sixth without the fastest lap and he finishes seventh
- If Norris is seventh without the fastest lap and he finishes eighth
- If Norris is eighth without the fastest lap and he finishes ninth
- If Norris is ninth without the fastest lap or lower irrespective of where he finishes
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments