Verstappen wins ‘best title’ but fifth championship in doubt – International media reacts
Max Verstappen emerged from the Las Vegas Grand Prix as a four-time world champion.
The Dutchman has joined an exclusive list of names with four titles or more, while Lando Norris has conceded defeat.
While much of the focus was on Verstappen, Mercedes impressed once again as George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secured a 1-2 for the team.
What did the rest of the world make of the race? Find out as RacingNews365 takes you through the headlines of some of the biggest global publications.
🇬🇧 The Times – How Max Verstappen overcame Red Bull crisis to win without fastest car
Starting in the United Kingdom, The Times looks at a tumultuous season endured by Red Bull.
The early stages of Red Bull’s season were confusing – while everything was pretty and rosy on the track, it was everything but away from it.
An intra-team power struggle emerged between the Thai and Austrian owners, while team principal Christian Horner was placed under investigation after allegations were made against him by a female employee.
Red Bull’s form also tapered off in the mid-season – but Verstappen and co rallied together to ensure it could win a fourth consecutive title.
🇮🇹 Corriere della Sera – Why it’s the best title (and why 5th in Red Bull will be difficult)
Italian media has argued that Verstappen’s run to his fourth F1 title is his best yet.
It has also suggested it will be very difficult for the Dutchman to win another championship at Red Bull again.
Indeed, the title fight may well be a lot closer next year if the competition is as close as close as it currently is – as many as four teams (that’s eight drivers) could be in the hunt!
Should that be the case, Verstappen could well face his biggest test in F1 to date which may even eclipse the pressure of the 2021 season.
🇦🇺 Herald Sun – Max Verstappen drops retirement hint after clinching Formula 1 crown
The Australian newspaper The Herald Sun ran with Verstappen’s quotes where he further evaluated his future.
“There is so many more things that I want to do in my life,” Verstappen said. “Also just having a bit of fun and catching up with my family. Nowadays my dad or mum will call and I’m like ‘I’m busy I’ll call them back later’.”
Verstappen has long flirted with the idea of leaving F1 before a successful driver would typically be expected to.
The 27-year-old has four seasons left on his Red Bull contract – after which it has been suggested he could look for a new adventure in life.
🇺🇸 The New York Times – Lando Norris leaves Las Vegas with title hopes dashed but plenty to feel good about
The Las Vegas Grand Prix marked the end of Norris’ title chances – however the Briton can hold his head high, according to The New York Times‘ sports division, The Athletic.
It’s easy to forget that Norris entered the current season still looking for his first race win.
He has since claimed three of them and put himself in a position to win a title in F1.
Going up against F1 is no easy task, and so the McLaren driver can take a host of knowledge into the off-season to come back even stronger next year.
🇩🇪 BILD – Verstappen gets top marks with cannabis and beer
German publication BILD ran with references to the weekend stench in the Las Vegas air and Verstappen’s post-race celebrations.
Multiple drivers reported throughout the weekend in Las Vegas that a strong smell of marijuana was present around the track.
After the grand prix on Sunday, while Verstappen was celebrating his title, he drank a number of beers and quipped he was drinking gin and tonic while giving interviews!
