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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Max Verstappen recently joined an exclusive club of Formula One drivers with four or more world championships. The Red Bull driver held off a spirited challenge from McLaren’s Lando Norris to defend his world title with two races to spare. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2481154\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12643063.jpg\" alt=\"verstappen\" width=\"1993\" height=\"997\" /> <em>Dutch driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing during free practice session one for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix on 21 November 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2481157\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12646584.jpg\" alt=\"verstappen champion\" width=\"1723\" height=\"1149\" /> <em>Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands reacts after winning the world championship after finishing ahead of British rival Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 23 November 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2481159\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12646779.jpg\" alt=\"red bull racing\" width=\"1988\" height=\"994\" /> <em>Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands is sprayed by his teammates at a post-race celebration after the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Oh my God, man. What a season,” Verstappen said, celebrating the win with his team from his car. “Four times! Thank you! It’s been a little more difficult than last year, but we pulled through. And we gave it all.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But how does his legacy compare with his peers? Statistically, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are the joint best drivers in Formula One history. The pair shares 14 world titles, seven apiece. Next best is Argentinian great Juan-Manuel Fangio, with five overall championships. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2481155\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12646450.jpg\" alt=\"hamilton\" width=\"1722\" height=\"1149\" /> <em>Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain at the drivers’ parade before the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alain Prost (who clinched four titles during an exciting rivalry with Brazilian Ayrton Senna) follows. Also in this exclusive club is Sebastian Vettel, with Dutchman Verstappen rounding off the club of drivers with four or more Formula One championship wins.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With his overall victory in the 2024 season, Verstappen also moved into another special Formula One list, which consists of drivers who have won consecutive drivers’ championships. Once again, Schumacher is the gold standard in this regard.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1655490\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4811994.jpg\" alt=\"schumacher\" width=\"1830\" height=\"1102\" /> <em>German Formula One great Michael Schumacher. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Valdrin Xhema)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The German great won five championships on the trot between 2000 and 2004. Before Schumacher, it was Fangio who had paved the way for this kind of dominance. He won four of his five championships on the trot, swatting aside all competitors as he dominated from 1954 to 1957. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schumacher’s compatriot Vettel headed a period of devastation for Red Bull between 2010 and 2014, before Hamilton also added his name to this particular exclusive club with a run of championship successes from 2017 to 2020.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1340745\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/h_57834924.jpg\" alt=\"vettel\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" /> <em>German Formula One master Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Tamas Kovacs)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hamilton was on the cusp of a record-equalling fifth title on the trot in 2021 – which would have also seen him move clear of Schumacher on the list of overall drivers’ championships.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then Verstappen emerged to pause what seemed like an imminent piece of history for Hamilton. He has not pressed on the brakes since.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After announcing himself with aplomb as an 18-year-old by winning the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix (becoming the youngest race winner in the competition’s history), Verstappen paid his dues before making Hamilton sweat during the 2021 season.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was a fierce contest, shrouded in</span><a href=\"https://www-dailymaverick-co-za.webpkgcache.com/doc/-/s/www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-10-16-masterful-max-cant-shake-off-titles-controversy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> some controversy</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which culminated in prodigy Verstappen beating old head Hamilton by just eight points to begin his sequence of supremacy. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite Verstappen now being one of the most successful drivers in Formula One history and well on his way to firmly locking in his legendary status, he has not been immune to criticism. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This comes especially with regard to his driving style – which his detractors have labelled as sometimes being dangerous. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I don’t listen to those individuals. I just do my thing. I’m a three-time world champion. I know what I’m doing,” Verstappen said in October 2024. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I don’t really pay a lot of attention to them anyway and I’ve got to this stage in my career with the right people supporting me and making my own decisions,” said the outspoken driver. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevertheless, Verstappen has earned the respect of many during his reign, including fellow great Prost, who heaped praise on the Dutchman during an interview with French publication L’Équipe.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“What he has already achieved is really amazing. Verstappen is clearly something special. He is not just anyone, in terms of personality, character and commitment. You can love him or hate him, but he certainly doesn’t leave you indifferent. He is atypical, like many great champions,” Prost said of Verstappen. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Considering that many constructors showed that they have caught up to Red Bull’s car this season, Verstappen will have a tougher task defending his title in 2025. However – as he showed during this campaign by finishing on the podium even during bad race days – he will be difficult to topple.</span><b> DM</b>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Max Verstappen recently joined an exclusive club of Formula One drivers with four or more world championships. The Red Bull driver held off a spirited challenge from McLaren’s Lando Norris to defend his world title with two races to spare. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2481154\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1993\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2481154\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12643063.jpg\" alt=\"verstappen\" width=\"1993\" height=\"997\" /> <em>Dutch driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing during free practice session one for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix on 21 November 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2481157\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1723\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2481157\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12646584.jpg\" alt=\"verstappen champion\" width=\"1723\" height=\"1149\" /> <em>Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands reacts after winning the world championship after finishing ahead of British rival Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 23 November 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2481159\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1988\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2481159\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12646779.jpg\" alt=\"red bull racing\" width=\"1988\" height=\"994\" /> <em>Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands is sprayed by his teammates at a post-race celebration after the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Oh my God, man. What a season,” Verstappen said, celebrating the win with his team from his car. “Four times! Thank you! It’s been a little more difficult than last year, but we pulled through. And we gave it all.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But how does his legacy compare with his peers? Statistically, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are the joint best drivers in Formula One history. The pair shares 14 world titles, seven apiece. Next best is Argentinian great Juan-Manuel Fangio, with five overall championships. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2481155\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1722\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2481155\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12646450.jpg\" alt=\"hamilton\" width=\"1722\" height=\"1149\" /> <em>Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain at the drivers’ parade before the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alain Prost (who clinched four titles during an exciting rivalry with Brazilian Ayrton Senna) follows. Also in this exclusive club is Sebastian Vettel, with Dutchman Verstappen rounding off the club of drivers with four or more Formula One championship wins.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With his overall victory in the 2024 season, Verstappen also moved into another special Formula One list, which consists of drivers who have won consecutive drivers’ championships. Once again, Schumacher is the gold standard in this regard.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1655490\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1830\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1655490\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4811994.jpg\" alt=\"schumacher\" width=\"1830\" height=\"1102\" /> <em>German Formula One great Michael Schumacher. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Valdrin Xhema)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The German great won five championships on the trot between 2000 and 2004. Before Schumacher, it was Fangio who had paved the way for this kind of dominance. He won four of his five championships on the trot, swatting aside all competitors as he dominated from 1954 to 1957. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schumacher’s compatriot Vettel headed a period of devastation for Red Bull between 2010 and 2014, before Hamilton also added his name to this particular exclusive club with a run of championship successes from 2017 to 2020.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1340745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2000\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1340745\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/h_57834924.jpg\" alt=\"vettel\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" /> <em>German Formula One master Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Tamas Kovacs)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hamilton was on the cusp of a record-equalling fifth title on the trot in 2021 – which would have also seen him move clear of Schumacher on the list of overall drivers’ championships.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then Verstappen emerged to pause what seemed like an imminent piece of history for Hamilton. He has not pressed on the brakes since.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After announcing himself with aplomb as an 18-year-old by winning the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix (becoming the youngest race winner in the competition’s history), Verstappen paid his dues before making Hamilton sweat during the 2021 season.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was a fierce contest, shrouded in</span><a href=\"https://www-dailymaverick-co-za.webpkgcache.com/doc/-/s/www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-10-16-masterful-max-cant-shake-off-titles-controversy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> some controversy</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which culminated in prodigy Verstappen beating old head Hamilton by just eight points to begin his sequence of supremacy. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite Verstappen now being one of the most successful drivers in Formula One history and well on his way to firmly locking in his legendary status, he has not been immune to criticism. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This comes especially with regard to his driving style – which his detractors have labelled as sometimes being dangerous. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I don’t listen to those individuals. I just do my thing. I’m a three-time world champion. I know what I’m doing,” Verstappen said in October 2024. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I don’t really pay a lot of attention to them anyway and I’ve got to this stage in my career with the right people supporting me and making my own decisions,” said the outspoken driver. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevertheless, Verstappen has earned the respect of many during his reign, including fellow great Prost, who heaped praise on the Dutchman during an interview with French publication L’Équipe.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“What he has already achieved is really amazing. Verstappen is clearly something special. He is not just anyone, in terms of personality, character and commitment. You can love him or hate him, but he certainly doesn’t leave you indifferent. 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Dutch driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing during free practice session one for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix on 21 November 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands reacts after winning the world championship after finishing ahead of British rival Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 23 November 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands is sprayed by his teammates at a post-race celebration after the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain at the drivers’ parade before the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Shawn Thew)
German Formula One great Michael Schumacher. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Valdrin Xhema)
German Formula One master Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Tamas Kovacs)