Runaway F1 leader Max Verstappen could confirm his third consecutive world title before Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen has swept all before him this season, winning an incredible 13 of the 16 races and two of the three sprint races so far this season. The Dutchman’s dominance could see him wrap up the 2023 title on Saturday evening with six races and two sprints still to go.
The Red Bull driver won last time out in Japan to emphatically bounce back from a miserable Singapore Grand Prix which saw his record ten-race winning streak come to an end, and the first time this season Red Bull hadn’t won a race as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz ended their streak.
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Verstappen’s victory at Suzuka saw him move to 400 points and put him 177 points clear of team-mate Sergio Perez, who is second in the drivers’ standings. With just 180 points left to fight for this season, Verstappen only needs three points between now and the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi at the end of November to retain his title.
Therefore, the first race that Verstappen has to seal the title comes during Saturday’s sprint race where only needs to finish in sixth place or higher – regardless of where Perez finishes – to see him enter Sunday’s race as a three-time world champion.
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Verstappen could also secure the world title with a seventh-place finish if Perez comes second, an eighth-place finish will also be enough to secure the championships if Perez finishes third. With only the top eight scoring points during the sprint race as opposed to ten during a Grand Prix, Verstappen could also secure the title without scoring points should Perez finish fourth or lower in the sprint.
Even if he isn’t victorious Saturday, the writing has been on the wall seemingly since the opening weekends of the season, and he’ll be crowned champion after Sunday’s race in Lusail should he finish eighth or higher.
Qualifying for Sunday’s race takes place on Friday evening, while the sprint shootout and sprint race take place on Saturday afternoon.
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