Max Verstappen says relief was his primary emotion after securing his fourth consecutive Formula 1 drivers' championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where a fifth-place finish proved sufficient to clinch the title.

Each of Verstappen's championships has brought different emotions. While his first title in 2021 - won dramatically on the final lap in Abu Dhabi - remains the most emotionally charged, this season presented unique challenges. After building a comfortable early lead, he had to defend his position through a challenging second half of the season.

The Dutch champion acknowledges the increasing competition heading into 2025 but remains confident in Red Bull's ability to overcome adversity. He praised the team's response to their mid-season struggles, particularly highlighting their recovery after identifying issues following the Monza race.

"What I know is that the team doesn't give up," Verstappen emphasized. "There are a lot of very competent people and I really enjoy working with them. When you come out of a season where we broke every record, and then start to struggle with the car, it's important to remain calm and try to fix it."

The team's analysis and subsequent performance improvement in Austin demonstrated their resilience and adaptability. While some improvements couldn't be implemented this season, they've generated promising ideas for next year's car. Verstappen remains realistic about the competition, noting that maximizing results, even without the quickest car, can lead to success.

"Next year is going to be a big battle," he acknowledged, "but even when you're not the quickest, if you just keep maximizing those results, a lot is possible."

Las Vegas GP, Max Verstappen, Formula 1

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