Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the F1 2024 Championship, he finally got to collect his hard earned F1 Trophy at FIA Gala. Max won the championship for the fourth time consecutively, The award ceremony was held in Africa for the first Time. When Max Verstappen won his first Championship who thought it wasn't just a one off and rather a habit, a winning habit that shaped F1's future with Verstappen in the driving seat. Max Verstappen's success is a new era in the future of Formula One.
He was handed the trophy in Kigali, Rwanda by International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Mohammed Ben Sulayem alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who also spoke of Rwanda bidding to host a F1 race.
Verstappen, who is one of only six drivers to have won four or more titles since the championship started in 1950, said he was proud of his season and everyone in the team.
"It's amazing, four titles is definitely incredible. Of course I also hope it doesn't stop here. I hope we can be successful for a longer period of time, This year the competition is very close, but then again in 2026 a lot is going to change," Verstappen said.
McLaren won the constructors' title for the first time in 26 years, ending Red Bull's reign.
"Of course we're not standing here as constructors' champions. In a way, I do think we deserved a little bit more in that championship. I tried my very best and we also know a lot where we have to work on for next year," added Verstappen. I'm very excited about that as well because it does look like it's going to be a proper fight between a lot of teams," he added.
Other winners
Verstappen's rival and Season's P2 Mclaren's Lando Norris acknowledged and congratulated Max on his success and was keen on continuing the battle for the Best Driver next year, hoping with a different result this time.
His Sergio Pérez did not attend the event but was voted Action of the Year winner for a swift overtake in China. His future with Red Bull is still uncertain. Meanwhile Brazilian F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, was named Rookie of the Year.Gabriel will be making his debut with Sauber in F1 next year.
