Max Verstappen joined a gilded group of double champions on Sunday, completing a rapid rise to eminence with a flourish in Japanese rain at Suzuka, in utter contrast to his acrimonious maiden success in Abu Dhabi last December. | Sport24news
There he snatched a controversial last-lap triumph from Lewis Hamilton, depriving the Briton of an unprecedented eighth triumph to land Red Bull's first championship since Sebastian Vettel completed four in a row in 2013. Mercedes retained their team title for an eighth consecutive season, but that result spelt the end of their Formula One domination.
It is a remarkable achievement for a driver who was only 17 when he began his Formula One career with Toro Rosso in 2015. "But he found a way to fix that, and he matured a lot. I think in 2018, he made the biggest transition from young boy into a man with some off-track maturity. It made his track results more consistent and, now, just see what he has done."
It was a critical advantage over his rivals, and Verstappen was vindicated for staying loyal to Red Bull as Ferrari tried to tempt him away. "That's why I never left. Sometimes, you could have said: 'Ah, it's time to leave and go somewhere else and chase immediate success.' But I believed in the team, the people, and it has paid off. So, I am very happy."
Another 10 drivers have three or more, including the two at the top of the list with Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. They are future targets.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WRAP | Max Verstappen wins a wet, delayed Japanese GP - and F1 championship | SportThe Japanese Grand Prix makes its return after a two-year absence. Will it be the scenes of Max Verstappen's second championship triumph, or will Ferrari and Charles Leclerc postpone it for at least one more race?
Read more »
'I didn't expect it,' says Max Verstappen after penalty hands him F1 championship | SportMax Verstappen was declared Formula 1 world champion on Sunday after winning a dramatic rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix. | Sport24news
Read more »
Talking points | Japanese qualifying: Vettel's emotional goodbye, Verstappen's 'vorsprung' | SportMax Verstappen secured pole position for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, making engine partner Honda's return home more special. | Sport24news
Read more »
WRAP | Max Verstappen wins a wet, delayed Japanese GP - and F1 championship | SportThe Japanese Grand Prix makes its return after a two-year absence. Will it be the scenes of Max Verstappen's second championship triumph, or will Ferrari and Charles Leclerc postpone it for at least one more race?
Read more »