Max Verstappen conceded he felt "relieved" after securing his fourth Formula 1 title having come under heavy pressure during the middle of the 2024 season.
A haul of seven grand prix wins from the opening 10 races strongly suggested that Verstappen was in line for another uncontested run to the championship, particularly as the competition around him looked error-prone.
But McLaren started to pile on the pressure over the second half of the year through Lando Norris, having slowly built on his maiden win in Miami and having emerged from the summer in good form.
Red Bull had started to struggle with balance issues - leading Verstappen to remark at that point in the season that it would be difficult for the team to retain its grasp of both titles.
"It's been a long season, and of course, we started off amazing – it was almost like cruising, but then we had a tough run," Verstappen said.
"But as a team, you know, we kept it together. We kept working on improvements, and we pulled it over the line. I'm incredibly proud of everyone, what they have done for me.
"To stand here as a four-time world champion is something that I never thought was possible. So, yeah, at the moment just feeling relieved in a way, but also very proud."
"It was a very challenging season. I think also as a person, at times, it's very challenging and I had to be calm.
"I think in a way, I still preferred last season; I enjoyed that a lot, but I think this season definitely has lessons that I'm very proud of. We handled it also as a team so, in a way, that makes it also very special and a beautiful season."
Verstappen suggested that he'd spoiled his fans with his dominance of the 2023 season, and thanked them – and those at the Red Bull team – for their patience throughout the year.
"It's always amazing to see them everywhere supporting me; I think they got a bit spoiled last year with all the wins. So they had to wait for a long time in the middle of the season, but incredible support always.
"To the team, what can I say? We have been through a lot together and all these highs that we are achieving right now – it is just very special to do that with all the group of people that we have here at the track and back at the factory.
"They're continuously pushing flat out to give me the car to fight for a title, and to do that four times in a row is very special.
"If you look at next year right now, I think it's going to be a proper battle between a lot of cars. But yeah, I'm hungry, of course.
"I'm going to enjoy this, but there are still two more races that I want to do well at the same time, and then of course we take a little break and then we try and go at it again next year.
