VERSTAPPEN SECURES FOURTH CONSECUTIVE FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

VERSTAPPEN SECURES FOURTH CONSECUTIVE FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Las Vegas, USA: Dutch driver Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One world championship after finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday, cementing an unassailable 63-point lead over McLaren's Lando Norris with two races still to go.

The high-profile night race saw George Russell dominate from pole position, leading a Mercedes one-two as teammate Lewis Hamilton surged from 10th on the grid to finish second. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium in third, followed closely by teammate Charles Leclerc in fourth.

Verstappen's fifth-place finish was crucial in securing his championship title, but he also claimed a bonus point for McLaren after making a late pit stop. The 27-year-old Dutch driver expressed his gratitude to his team over team radio, saying, "What a season. Four times. Thank you guys. Thank you to everyone. It was a little bit more difficult than last year, but we pulled through and gave it all."

The battle for second place in the constructors' championship remains tight, with Ferrari's double-points finish reducing the gap to McLaren to 24 points. This added intrigue ensures that the final stages of the season will be dominated by a fierce rivalry.

Verstappen becomes just one of seven drivers to secure multiple world championships in Formula One. The list includes Schumacher and Hamilton, as well as Fangio, Prost, Vettel, Brabham, Stewart, Lauda, Piquet, Senna, Alonso, Ascari, Clark, Fittipaldi, Hakkinen, Graham Hill, and Verstappen, who added his fourth consecutive title to the coveted record.

With two races remaining, fans are eagerly anticipating which driver will take the top spot in the championship standings.