A few hours after clinching his fourth world title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Max Verstappen is once again in the crosshairs of the British media, who are known for their tendency to criticize him.
While some praise his mastery on track, others remain skeptical about his status as an F1 legend. So, what does Verstappen still need, according to them, to secure his place in history?
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Unquestionable domination, but a “conditional” record?
With four consecutive titles (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024), Max Verstappen now joins the elite circle of four-time world champions. Legendary names like Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel share this achievement, and only Fangio, Hamilton, and Schumacher have done better. Yet, some British commentators argue that Verstappen still needs to prove himself outside of the Red Bull Racing ecosystem. The Telegraph, for example, suggests that the Austrian team lacks the prestige of Ferrari or Mercedes. In other words: to become a “legend,” Max would need to leave the comfort of Red Bull and take on the challenge of driving for a historic team. However, if we revisit the names mentioned earlier, Vettel only joined such a team after being crowned champion—and he is still considered a legend.
A reputation tarnished by past controversies
Even three years later, the memory of Abu Dhabi 2021 still lingers. For some segments of the British media, Verstappen remains “the villain” who defeated Lewis Hamilton under controversial circumstances. The Daily Mail even describes him as a “pantomime villain,” a figure both captivating and frustrating. However, they do not deny his raw talent: Verstappen is widely recognized as a master strategist, capable of extracting the maximum potential from his F1 car. This is evident in the stark contrast with his teammate Sergio Perez, who was relegated to a distant tenth place in the championship. Still, this antihero image clings to Verstappen, particularly in a British media landscape where loyalty to Hamilton remains strong. And in some ways, it’s understandable, given that Hamilton is British and the one who lost the title to Max in 2021.
The perfect race in Las Vegas
Despite the criticism, Max Verstappen’s performances in 2024 speak for themselves. His driving in Las Vegas was praised by outlets like the BBC, which highlighted the Dutchman’s maturity throughout the season. In a much more competitive championship than last year, with McLaren and Ferrari showing significant progress, Verstappen managed to stay calm and capitalize on every opportunity. It wasn’t just about having a dominant car: this season proved that Max could adapt, handle tricky moments under the safety car, and recover when costly penalties came his way. In short, a total mastery that already places him among the best drivers in modern history. Regardless of what critics may say, the numbers don’t lie: Max Verstappen is a four-time Formula 1 World Champion. Bravo, Max!
This article explores how Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, continues to divide the British media. While some laud his maturity and exceptional driving skills, others argue he still needs a triumph beyond Red Bull to leave a lasting mark on F1 history.
Images : Red Bull Content pool
