Wrapping up the World Drivers’ Championship for your fourth straight time brings some welcome perks when you’re in Las Vegas. Max Verstappen found that out firsthand last week. Beating out Lando Norris by 63 points in Sin City, Red Bull’s Dutch superstar surpassed legends like Niki Lauda and Ayrton Senna on the all-time championship list. Honors like that deserve their due celebrations.

Now, Max is not a stranger to grabbing a drink or two. After all, the race organizers had some big plans for the 27-year-old should he clinch the championship in Las Vegas. Well, he didn’t disappoint. But one guy who partied equally hard last week was Las Vegas Grand Prix winner George Russell. However, even Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes stablemate couldn’t help but be astonished when he came face-to-face with the season champ’s unusual habits.

George Russell surprised by Max Verstappen’s ‘early morning’ bar visit

It would be foolish to believe the 2024 season is done and dusted with two races left. Maybe Max Verstappen can relax a little, but the World Constructors’ Championship battle is still wide open, with McLaren and Ferrari vying for the top spot. Red Bull is trailing the leaders by 53 points, so the Milton Keyes-based team could probably benefit from Verstappen’s advances. Regardless, the guy celebrated like a true conqueror in Vegas.

The details aren’t fully public yet, but Jos Verstappen told Radio 538 in the Netherlands that Max didn’t catch a wink of sleep after partying in Vegas. According to Jos, his son kept going until 10:30, packed his bags, and left for Amsterdam. In a separate update, Max told De Telegraaf himself, “The clubs in Las Vegas close at some point, of course, but it was just fun with Martin Garrix and some other people. it was a nice night. or morning, actually.” That must have been a refreshing change for Verstappen. After winning the Las Vegas GP last year, he mentioned he couldn’t celebrate the way he wanted, describing it as more of a “private club” experience.

This year, Emily Frazer, Chief Commercial Officer of F1 and the Las Vegas Grand Prix assured days in advance, “If Max claims the title here, we will certainly celebrate his magnificent achievement in Vegas style…” And from George Russell’s account of his encounter with Verstappen at the airport, the new champ most certainly did. In a recent interview with Canal+ F1 before the Qatar Grand Prix, Russell revealed, “I don’t think [Max] saw me. But I saw him in the bar at nine in the morning when I was leaving for the airport… He didn’t see me. He was too (drowsy), nodding away so…” Verstappen was right beside Russell. So the reporter leaned in and asked the guy if the rumors were true. In true Verstappen fashion, he quickly defended himself, stating, “I was very thirsty. It was 5:00 PM somewhere.”

Russell followed through with that to take a subtle dig at Verstappen. “Max is a pro racing driver, pro FIFA player, Paddle player, drinker. Many, many, many talents,” he joked. Let’s not forget Russell was turning it up too with the Swedish House Mafia at the XS Nightclub inside the Wynn in Las Vegas, as reported by TMZ. Their camaraderie on camera was infectious, to say the very least. But once again, the battle lines will be on the asphalt at the Lusail International Circuit come December 1st. The racetrack always brings a thrilling affair. And with the odds stacked very close to each other for the contenders, the Qatar GP won’t be any different.

But beyond that, it appears Max Verstappen will be absent from the practice session for the season-ending race at Abu Dhabi.

The Dutch driver awaits a welcome break in Abu Dhabi

Let’s talk about the betting favorites in Qatar first. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Lando Norris is the prime contender for a P1 in Lusail. The McLaren driver holds a +190 odds pre-qualifying. Following close behind is Max Verstappen, who’s touted at +350. Next up is Oscar Piastri, who’s being labeled at a +450, while Mercedes teammates, Lewis Hamilton, and George Russell boast a +650 payout chance each.

It’s anybody’s race at this point, and Qatar never disappoints. However, when the season moves to the neighboring country of the United Arab Emirates for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for the season finale, we won’t witness Max Verstappen during the practice sessions. He will step aside for Isack Hadjar, Red Bull’s reserve driver, Hadjar will make laps in the RB20 because of the stipulation that mandates teams to put a young pilot behind the steering wheel for at least one Fp1 session. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, has already let Hajdar drive his car at practice during the Silverstone GP. Abu Dhabi is Verstappen’s last chance to act out his remaining provision.

Hajdar is a bright prospect inside the Red Bull system and has won two Formula Two races in 44 starts. He rides high on confidence and has declared himself “next in line” for Sergio Perez’s seat if the Mexican leaves Red Bull. Overall, the tail end of the season has plenty to look forward to with just two races left to wrap out the year. Will Max Verstappen celebrate once again in Qatar? We must find out this Sunday.