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Max Verstappen’s 4-Year Title Streak Features Never-Before-Seen Variety in Runners-Up

Somin Bhattacharjee
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south of the capital of São Paulo. In the photo, the driver, Max Verstappen 1, RED BULL, during a press conference

At the age of 27, Max Verstappen shares the table with some of F1’s greatest drivers, and further cemented his place there by winning Championship number four in Las Vegas on Saturday. However, there is something unique about the titles he has won — he has had to fend off four distinct drivers each time.

In 2021, Verstappen‘s main challenger was Lewis Hamilton, who of course, finished P2. 2022 and 2023 saw Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez respectively in that position, whereas this season, it looks likely that Lando Norris will be second.

“Max vs the World,” analyst Daniel Valente, who shared this stat on X (formerly Twitter), wrote as a caption.

This is unprecedented in F1, highlighting two key points. First, it showcases Verstappen’s remarkable dominance, as he successfully fended off challenges from four top drivers on the grid. Second, it underscores the intense competitiveness of the field behind him.

Admittedly, Verstappen’s triumphs in 2022 and 2023 were rather one-sided, and there wasn’t much of a challenge. However, the fact that there was always someone different in his rearview mirror, is a staggering fact.

This is very different from the eras of Hamilton or Michael Schumacher‘s dominance, who had very consistent rivals, at least for a select period of time. For instance, during Hamilton’s early Mercedes successes, it was Nico Rosberg chasing him. From 2017 onwards, it would be either Sebastian Vettel or Valtteri Bottas later, after Ferrari (Vettel’s team) had a downfall. But never four drivers in four seasons.

Verstappen, after a P5 finish in Vegas, opened up an unassailable 63-point lead over Norris. However, there is still no certainty about the McLaren driver finishing P2 yet.

After Vegas, Norris is only 21 points ahead of Leclerc. With a great finish to 2024, the Monegasque could alter this stat and make Verstappen’s four consecutive titles seem like a more human achievement.

Post Edited By:Aishwary Gaonkar

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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