9 hours Ago By The Straits Times
Red Bull's Max Verstappen is seeking to become just the sixth man to win four Formula One world titles. LAS VEGAS – Max Verstappen will become just the sixth man in Formula One history to win four world championship titles if he can see off his rival Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend. Red Bull’s three-time champion, who ended a 10-race winless drought by storming to victory in Brazil three weeks ago, needs only to stay ahead of Norris, or keep the McLaren driver out of the top eight finishers, to retain his crown.
The Dutchman, on 393, holds a 62-point lead over Norris, on 331, with 60 more points to be won after the Vegas race. He knows he has no need to gamble as he seeks to join multiple champions Juan Manuel Fangio (five titles), Alain Prost (four), Michael Schumacher (seven), Sebastian Vettel (four) and Lewis Hamilton (seven). After a blistering start to the season which saw him win seven of the first 10 races, Verstappen suffered a dip.
But a return to form in Brazil and the experience of having won on the garish streets of Sin City in the inaugural Las Vegas event last season makes him a clear favourite to take his fourth title in consecutive years. “Brazil was incredible for us,” said Verstappen. “It was a really special moment for myself and for the team and it was great to see us back to the form we were in before.
“The team did an amazing job and we hope to continue that into the next races. It’s the final push for everyone. “We performed well here last year.
It’s a really fast circuit with long straights and a lot of overtaking opportunities.” McLaren, however, seeking a first constructors’ title since 1998, will aim to postpone the seemingly inevitable as the F1 circus enters a triple-header finale to the season with races to follow in Qatar and Abu Dhabi on Dec 1 and 8. They lead the teams’ title race with 593 ahead of Ferrari on 557 and Red Bull on 544.
Norris will have to beat Verstappen and finish in the top eight to keep his challenge alive – but with the constructors’ title up for grabs, he will race with clear instructions not to take excessive risks after crashing out last season and flopping in Brazil where he finished sixth after starting from pole. “We’ll be under the lights in Las Vegas,” said Norris referring to the scheduled Saturday night starting time. “Driving along the ‘Strip’ is cool and I’m looking forward to racing there.
We’ve had a good car this year and I can’t wait to see what we can do there.” In a close contest, both teams will rely on their second drivers Oscar Piastri of McLaren and Sergio Perez of Red Bull as they attempt to fend off Ferrari’s challenge led by Charles Leclerc, who took pole in 2023 and finished second. Last season’s race in Las Vegas was the single largest sporting event in the city’s history, producing an economic impact of nearly US$1.
5 billion (S$2 billion), according to organisers. More than 10,000 general admission tickets have been added this time, community engagement made more of a focus and a Ferrari support race featuring for the first time. AFP, REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
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