Max Verstappen is poised to clinch his third Formula One Drivers' Championship at the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, potentially in the Sprint race itself if he finishes sixth or higher. A 2023 Drivers' Championship victory would mark the Dutch driver's third consecutive championship, having won in both 2021 and 2022.
Verstappen's dominance this season has been remarkable. He has won 13 races, more than any other driver in history in a single season. He has also finished on the podium in every race he has finished this year.
Verstappen's closest rival in the championship standings is his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. However, Perez is 177 points behind Verstappen, with only 180 points left to play for over the six Grands Prix and three Sprints that remain. This means that Verstappen needs just three more points in total between now and 2023's chequered flag in Abu Dhabi on November 26 to join the illustrious ranks of triple F1 champions.
Verstappen's best chance to secure the title in Qatar will come in the Sprint race on Saturday. If he finishes sixth or higher, he will be crowned champion regardless of where Perez finishes. Even if Perez wins the Sprint race, Verstappen will still become the F1 Champion for 2023, even if he leaves a 146-point gap between him and Perez.
Verstappen is confident that he can secure the title in Qatar. He said after the Japanese Grand Prix: "We've had some great seasons but I think what we've achieved up to Singapore is really impressive. We've been very consistent and we've had a lot of wins. We're in a good position to win the championship in Qatar, but we need to stay focused and keep working hard."
Verstappen's Red Bull team is also confident that he can win the title in Qatar. Team principal Christian Horner said: "Max is having an incredible season. He's been driving at the top of his game all year. We're in a very strong position in the championship and we're confident that Max can secure the title in Qatar."
If Verstappen does win the title in Qatar, it will be a special moment for him. He will become the first Dutch driver to win three F1 championships and he will also become the youngest driver to win three titles. He will be just 25 years old when he crosses the finish line in Qatar, beating Sebastian Vettel's record of youngest triple champion, which he set in 2012.
Verstappen's victory in Qatar would also be a special moment for Red Bull. It would be their first Drivers' Championship title since 2013 and their first Constructors' Championship title since 2012.
The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on October 6-8, 2023. The Sprint race will be held on Saturday, October 7 and the Grand Prix itself will be held on Sunday, October 8.
Here is a more detailed look at how Verstappen can win the title in the Qatar Sprint:
-Verstappen finishes sixth or higher: Verstappen will become the champion regardless of where Perez finishes.
-Verstappen finishes seventh or eighth: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez does not finish in the top three.
-Verstappen finishes ninth or tenth: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez does not finish in the top two.
-Verstappen finishes 11th or lower: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez wins the Sprint race and Verstappen does not score any points.
Here is a more detailed look at how Verstappen can win the title in the Qatar Grand Prix:
-Verstappen wins the race: Verstappen will become the champion regardless of where Perez finishes.
-Verstappen finishes second: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez finishes sixth or lower.
-Verstappen finishes third: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez finishes seventh or lower.
-Verstappen finishes fourth: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez finishes eighth or lower.
-Verstappen finishes fifth: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez finishes ninth or lower.
-Verstappen finishes sixth: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez does not finish in the points.
-Verstappen finishes seventh or eighth: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez does not finish in the top two.
-Verstappen finishes ninth or tenth: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez does not finish in the top three.
-Verstappen finishes 11th or lower: Verstappen will become the champion if Perez wins the race and Verstappen does not score any points.
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