Max Verstappen has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming a four-time Formula 1 world champion. This title is not just a personal victory but also a testament to the dominance of Red Bull. In this article, we will explore the six key factors that ultimately made the difference in Verstappen's championship win.

Unraveling the Secrets of Verstappen's Championship Triumph

1 – McLaren's Late Breakthrough

Back in April, it wouldn't have been a surprise if Verstappen had sealed the deal before the season ended. His dominant performance in the Chinese Grand Prix weekend gave him four wins and a sprint race victory from the first five events. However, things changed significantly. McLaren and Red Bull followed different trajectories. While Verstappen maintained a comfortable points lead, it wasn't as steady as it seemed. The early races bought him precious breathing room. Red Bull cashed in on its 2023 dominance by holding back development in the second half and focusing on the 2024 car. McLaren, on the other hand, had to wait until round six to fully implement its 2024 upgrades. Even when McLaren stepped forward, it took time to show its true potential. Stand-out weekends like Hungary, Zandvoort, and Singapore demonstrated McLaren's potential, but making up ground on Verstappen's quality was a mammoth task.

2 – McLaren's Missed Opportunities

One key difference between Verstappen and Norris is their race-winning abilities. Verstappen had a strong strike-rate, winning five out of the eight races he started from pole and opportunistically winning three more. Norris, on the other hand, missed several chances to convert qualifying performances into race wins. Only two of his three race wins came from pole positions, and he often lost critical ground at the start. His starts in Spain and Hungary were particularly costly, and he was also outmuscled by his team-mate Oscar Piastri in Italy. Other errors like running wide at Spa and making mistakes at restarts also cost him valuable points. McLaren's occasional lack of sharpness and Norris' lack of ruthlessness exposed their inexperience in title fights. Norris admitted that he wasn't ready to take on Red Bull and Verstappen in the first half of the year.

3 – Verstappen's Relentless Drive

This year, Red Bull and Verstappen have shown why they have been at the top for the last few seasons. Red Bull's communication and decision-making were superior to McLaren, especially in handling safety car situations and tyre management. Verstappen, too, has been relentless. His significant victories like Imola, Spain, Canada, and Brazil demonstrated his ability to handle pressure. The wins in June against Norris had a massive impact on his championship lead. Even during his four-and-a-half-month victory drought, he still managed to finish second at Silverstone, fourth at Spa, and beat Norris despite starting 11th. His damage limitation was excellent, and he was always ready to pounce on Norris' mistakes. Norris himself admitted that Verstappen didn't put a foot wrong all year.

4 – Controversial Clashes

Verstappen's uncompromising racing style often takes F1's rules to the limit. This year, it earned him some important points against Norris. Their collision in Austria was a controversial moment, but Norris also made some misjudgments. In the US and Mexico, Verstappen's aggressive moves won him the day, even if he received penalties. Some may dislike his style, but the rules were on his side. These direct clashes gave Verstappen an edge over Norris and strengthened his championship position.

5 – The Impact of Team Orders

At McLaren, team orders became a contentious issue. Sergio Perez was an effective rear-gunner for Verstappen early on, but his form declined. At McLaren, there were several team orders flashpoints. In Hungary, Piastri passed Norris at the start and later had to wait for Norris to cede. In Italy, Piastri overtook Norris again. These incidents cost Norris some points and gave McLaren a headache in managing the situation. While the net cost was relatively small, it still influenced the championship battle.

6 – Red Bull's Late Resurgence

Red Bull and Verstappen faced challenges throughout the season but made a late comeback. The middle phase was their weakest, but they learned from their mistakes and worked to correct them. A new floor at Austin helped them regain their form, and Verstappen used it to his advantage. Red Bull also reported various issues to the FIA to catch up with rival teams. Their efforts paid off in Brazil, where Verstappen won from the back of the grid in the wet. This victory sealed his championship and was a fitting end to an exceptional season.