5 championship moments where Verstappen made the difference

Winning Formula 1's drivers' championship is hard enough, with only 34 people ever accomplishing the feat. The number of drivers who have done it without the fastest car is much smaller than that, but Max Verstappen joined that exclusive group with his 2024 campaign.

While Red Bull's RB20 began the year as a world-beater, its advantage quickly disappeared after McLaren took a significant step in Miami with its MCL38. Ferrari - and even Mercedes - showed competitive flashes occasionally after Miami as well. Verstappen's fourth championship campaign was a tale of survival, as he tactically nursed his early advantage to the finish line, winning just one of the last 12 races.

Here are five post-Miami moments where the Dutch driver made the difference.

5. Hanging on in Imola, Montreal, Barcelona

McLaren proved Miami was no mirage very quickly in the following races. Lando Norris challenged Verstappen for the top step of the podium in four of the next five races. The Red Bull leader came out ahead 3-0 in tight races in Imola, Montreal, and Barcelona, with a collision in Austria knocking both drives off the podium.

In Imola, Verstappen narrowly grabbed pole - his record-tying eighth consecutive pole to start 2024 - and hung on through a late Norris charge. In Montreal, he survived a race dictated by changing conditions, strategy, and a pinch of luck. And in Barcelona, he capitalized on Norris losing his lead from pole to take what would end up being his last grand prix win until Brazil, 11 races later.

4. Savvy Silverstone drive

Credit for Verstappen's second-place finish in Silverstone should be shared between himself, race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, and Red Bull's strategy department.

In a race with changing wet and dry conditions, Verstappen and Red Bull outlasted the elements better than all except race winner Lewis Hamilton. In a car that lacked pace in the first stint, Red Bull called him in at the perfect time for intermediate tires, which gained him ground and allowed him to show off his natural ability as the track began to dry near the end of the stint. Another bold call for the hard tire led to Verstappen passing Norris and just missing out on a race win, a result few saw coming an hour or so prior.

3. Mind games in Austin

As many drivers have mentioned, racing Verstappen is not only a matter of outpacing him but also outthinking him. It's difficult to do both against an uncompromising and cerebral driver that exploits the grey area of the regulations. Norris found that out firsthand in Austin.

Lining up on the front row alongside pole-sitter Norris, Verstappen dove up the inside and shoved the McLaren wide on the exit. The overtake attempt left Charles Leclerc in the lead, Verstappen still second, and Norris crucially in fourth. The reigning champion got the better of his challenger yet again later, taking advantage of F1's overtaking regulations by late-braking into the apex and forcing him and Norris wide. Norris elected to overtake Verstappen off-track and was given a five-second penalty, surrendering his third-place podium finish to Verstappen.

Verstappen left Austin with a sprint victory, a podium, and a five-point gain on Norris, the first time he extended his lead on his title rival in five race weekends.

2. Podium in Singapore

Singapore has been the boogeyman for Verstappen. The circuit proved to be the lone weakness of the dominant 2023 RB19 and the only obstacle capable of making Verstappen look human last season. And with a tough start in the practice sessions, it was shaping up to be another nightmare for Verstappen and a dream weekend for Norris.

But that's not exactly what happened.

Norris qualified on pole as expected, but Verstappen joined him on the front row. Ferrari showed tremendous pace as well but was unable to execute in Q3. Verstappen wouldn't miss his moment. Norris ended up dominating the race, winning by over 20 seconds, but the margin would make no difference as Verstappen finished runner-up. The Dutch pilot walked into his circuit of horrors and surrendered only seven points. In what was a frequent theme of the 2024 season, Norris - even on his best weekends - was unable to get away from Verstappen.

1. Wet-weather magic in Brazil

Verstappen's wet-weather Brazil 2024 drive will be remembered as the defining drive of the season and likely of his career.

It's one of five championship races ever to be won from 17th or worse, and Verstappen was the first driver to win from outside the top 10 in Interlagos. The numbers speak volumes on their own, but they still don't capture the pressure Verstappen was under to deliver.

With Verstappen in 17th and Norris on pole, it appeared inevitable that the Red Bull driver's 44-point lead would take a big hit. Instead, Verstappen didn't put a step wrong on a rain-soaked circuit, dominating his way to a 19-second victory while posting nine of the 10 fastest laps. Meanwhile, his title rival finished sixth, effectively sealing the championship with authority.