And with that, we’ll sign off on a historic night in Las Vegas. George Russell has taken the chequered flag for his second win of the season but it’s Max Verstappen that is the biggest winner: claiming his fourth-straight world title and putting him into rarefied air.
The tour will now head to the Middle East for its final two races, landing in Qatar next week – that one a sprint weekend – before ending the season in Abu Dhabi.
While Verstappen has taken out the Driver’s Championship, the Constructor’s one will remain very much up for grab in these coming two races, with McLaren’s lead over Ferrari cut to 24 points this evening thanks to Sainz and Leclerc’s third- and fourth-placed finish. McLaren sit on 608 points, Ferrari on 584 and Red Bull then land in third on 55.
There’s interest further down the rankings, too, as Haas has just a one-point lead over Alpine for seventh-place -- 50 points to 49 -- while RB come in on their heels on 46 points.
But that’s for future live coverage. For now, the story is Verstappen’s fourth title. My name’s been Joey Lynch and it’s been a great pleasure to have your company following along as it was sealed in the neon-soaked streets of Las Vegas.
Updated
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is speaking on the Sky Sports coverage.
“It’s been a rollercoaster of a year, but Max has been truly outstanding,” says Horner. “Max got off to a flying start, we had a difficult summer but he has just been outstanding. I think it’s been his best and hardest world championship, he’s delivered on days where the car wasn’t quite there.
“This one has been hard won. All credit to the men and women in Milton Keynes. The others have pushed us really hard this year. Max joins an elite group of champions now, it puts him in amongst the all-time greats.”
