Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Formula 1 world champion title after finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. That result was enough to ensure Lando Norris could no longer catch him in the points, ending the battle with still two races to go in 2024.

He managed to achieve this despite Red Bull’s performance dropping mid-season, with McLaren taking over as the leading team.

Earlier in 2024, McLaren CEO Zak Brown had made comments suggesting that Verstappen managed to only win titles thanks to a dominant car like Red Bull’s, suggesting that he doesn’t believe the Dutchman could win in any other car. 

Verstappen responded to these comments after the Las Vegas race, saying they gave him extra motivation. When Brown congratulated him after securing the title, Verstappen even pointed out that his run to the championship would have been easier with McLaren’s MCL38.

“Such things only motivate me,” he told De Telegraaf.

“If people are critical and think I can only win in the best car, I will prove them wrong.

“If I don’t get credit for this now, I don’t know what else I can do.

“Whether I would have become champion in the McLaren? Yes! And a lot sooner too. In 2021, in another car, I would have taken the title too.

“In 2022 it would have become more difficult, because Ferrari was maybe a bit too fragile then. And last year? Well, that would have been a bit trickier.”