Verstappen embarrasses rest of F1 field: Going Up, Going Down

It feels like everyone else might as well go home at this point.

Despite having an essentially inferior car for three quarters of the season – and, judging by Sergio Perez’s performances, one that was difficult to drive as well as being slow – Max Verstappen has been able to hold off three teams at once to win his toughest F1 fight yet.

Since Lando Norris’s Miami breakthrough, the Red Bull has clearly not been the car to have. Verstappen has managed to win races and rack up points by shear guile, determination and, yes, at times some questionable driving.

He did so while other teams had faster machinery, but apparently didn’t know how to use it. For much of the season McLaren, and sometimes Ferrari, couldn’t decide which driver it wanted to win. This was demonstrated yet again in Vegas when the Scuderia allowed Carlos Sainz to attack Charles Leclerc when the Monegasque came out of the pits, even though the the latter is fighting Norris for second in the championship.

McLaren has shot itself in the foot too many times by allowing Oscar Piastri to take precedence over Norris in Hungary and Monza, helping Verstappen keep a championship margin.

In the end though, those Norris points lost to Piastri would only have been half the job, as the Brit gave up too many positions from race starts and didn’t show the steel needed in the heat of the battle with Verstappen. On track, the Dutchman only recognises the toughest racing talk. It appears Norris doesn’t speak that language yet.

Mercedes has had enough pace to win four races this year, but apart from knowing it’s fast on cool, smooth tracks, still can’t work out what else is the key to its winning pace.

Verstappen’s title has been won with no support from a team-mate, such has Perez’s appalling form been – there’s been no rear gunner, no ally to take points off others at crucial points. It’s been totally down to Verstappen, not unlike how his partner Kelly’s old man, Nelson Piquet, won his two titles with Brabham.

Without a doubt, Verstappen’s 2024 triumph must be seen as one of grand prix racing’s greatest achievements, emphasised by his cool drive to fifth which secured the crown in the opulent surroundings of Vegas.

Here’s what was going up and down in Vegas.

Going Up

Champion’s breakfast (and dinner)

Good to see Verstappen celebrating like a true champ – with plenty of lubrication.

Max Verstappen interviews throughout the night and as you keep watching he keep getting more drunk pic.twitter.com/1knNmrPXuS

— Laura 🦋 (@formuLau16) November 24, 2024

Yuki pits his pants

“i ummm shit my pants” – yuki tsunoda 2024 pic.twitter.com/zLbOo71oOa

— julia ⁴ (@juliaunboxed) November 24, 2024

Yuki Tsunoda just saying how it is. Though Hülkenberg beat him to eighth, the Japanese pocket rocket was still right behind in ninth to score two more points.

It all matters as RB fights Haas and Alpine for sixth in the title race, while Tsunoda is hoping Red Bull puts him under consideration for Perez’s seat.

Hammer Time goes on

Hamilton demonstrated he’s still got it in Vegas by flying from tenth to second – just such a shame he didn’t start higher up. Russell put in a consummate drive to win, but would he have been able to hold off Hamilton had the seven-time champ started higher up?

Foot on the GAS

His Alpine might have semi-predictably spluttered-out halfway through the race, but Pierre Gasly showed yet more highly impressive form by qualifying third for Alpine.

It all promises much for 2025 and beyond at the recalibrated Enstone squad.

Going Down

Macca’s attack wilts

McLaren looked simply anonymous in Vegas, as Ferrari gained ground on it in the constructors’ battle and Norris meekly conceded the drivers’ to Verstappen. Is a 24-point margin enough to cling onto to its first constructors’ title since 1998?

Stroll not with the punches

The tribulations of Lance Stroll continues. After beaching it in Brazil, his team radio broke in Vegas, meaning his pit stop ended up being extra long as the Aston team weren’t ready. Perhaps Aston just doesn’t want to know by this point?

Will it ever end?

“It just doesn’t get any better,” said Perez after tumbling out in Q1 yet again. Appears as if Red Bull is almost enjoying the pain by this point. When Milton Keynes does finally say enough is enough, will it replace the Mexican with a junior for next year, or look further afield?

Williams repair bill

Franco Colapinto dumping his Williams into the barriers in qualifying only added to the team’s eye-watering crash bill accumulated over recent races.

Alex Albon retiring from a points-paying position won’t have helped the mood either.