**Max Verstappen Joins Elite Club of Four-Time F1 World Champions**

Max Verstappen's latest triumph at the Las Vegas Grand Prix has elevated him to the ranks of four-time world champions in the history of Formula 1. By achieving this remarkable feat, he joins a prestigious group of drivers who have etched their names into the annals of motorsport history, while also getting closer to an even more exclusive set of champions.

Among those sharing his four-time champion status is Alain Prost. Prost, known as 'The Professor', earned his first victory at his home race, the 1981 French Grand Prix, and went on to win his debut championship with McLaren in 1985, making him the first French world champion. Another championship followed in 1986. His rivalry with Ayrton Senna marked an intense period, with Prost sealing his third title in 1989 and capping his illustrious career with a fourth championship for Williams in 1993.

Sebastian Vettel is another distinguished member of this club. Making a splash with a surprise win at Monza in 2008, Vettel transitioned to the main Red Bull team and clinched his first championship in 2010 at just 23 years old, a feat that made him the youngest world champion in history. He continued his dominance by securing three more consecutive titles through 2013, a period in which Red Bull and Vettel proved virtually unstoppable.

Juan Manuel Fangio set a high benchmark with five world titles, a record that stood unchallenged for decades. Fangio debuted in Formula 1's inaugural season in 1950, claiming his first title in 1951. After recovering from a severe injury in 1952, he returned to clinch consecutive championships from 1954 to 1957 with teams like Maserati and Mercedes. His fifth and final title in 1957 remained a pinnacle in the sport, only being equaled in 2002 by Michael Schumacher.

Schumacher, along with Lewis Hamilton, holds the peak of F1 achievements with seven world titles each. Schumacher's career was marked by a fierce debut with Jordan, leading to his first championship with Benetton in 1994. After moving to Ferrari and overcoming challenges, Schumacher dominated the early 2000s, winning five consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004. Hamilton, mirroring this success, won his first title with McLaren in 2008 and subsequently dominated with Mercedes, matching Schumacher's record in 2020.

Verstappen's rise to this elite group marks him as one of the most successful drivers in modern Formula 1, setting the stage for future battles and records in the continuing saga of the sport.