Three points. This is what distinguishes Max Verstappen from the title, the third consecutive Formula 1 world title that can be celebrated today (6:30 p.m., SportTV) in the sprint race of the Qatar Grand Prix, which takes place at the Lusail International Circuit, on the outskirts of Doha. And to start Sunday’s race as champion, he only needs to finish in sixth place this afternoon.
At 26, the Dutch Red Bull driver could become Formula 1’s second-youngest three-time champion ever, beaten only by German driver Sebastian Vettel, who achieved the feat at just 25 years, four months and 22 days . “I know it will happen, whether it’s Saturday, Sunday or next week. It doesn’t matter, after all it’s not something I think about too much,” said Verstappen, who is preparing to join the limited gallery of drivers who have been crowned champions three times, alongside Brazilians Ayrton Senna and Nélson Piquet, Austrian Niki Lauda, Briton Jackie Stewart and Australian Jack Brabham.
Furthermore, only five Formula 1 stars have won more titles, in a table led by German Michael Schmumacher and Briton Lewis Hamilton, both with seven titles, followed by Argentinian Juan Manuel Fangio (five), Frenchman Alain Prost (four ) and the German Sebastian Vettel (four).
This will apparently be Verstappen’s easiest title, compared to the titles he won in 2021 and 2022, as he has won 13 of the 16 races held so far, in addition to two second places and a fifth, in Singapore – which earned him 400 points, 177 more than his teammate, the Mexican Sérgio Pérez, who is currently the only one with a mathematical chance of the title.
In practice, a sixth place today is enough for Verstappen in the sprint race, but if he happens to score no points and Sérgio Pérez comes first, the Dutchman’s party could be complete tomorrow, as long as he finishes in the first eight is in the sprint race. Qatar Grand Prix race.
In other words, Verstappen is preparing to equal the feat of Briton Nigel Mansell as the second-fastest driver in Formula 1 history to win the world title, having achieved the feat in 1992, with still five Grands Prix to go before the end of the 2012 season. This achievement was only surpassed by Michael Schumacher, who was crowned World Championship champion with six races remaining in 2002.
Verstappen fastest in qualifying
The first sign that the problem will need to be resolved this weekend came this Friday from Verstappen himself, who set the fastest lap in qualifying for Sunday’s race in the final moments of the session with a time of 1.27, 428 minutes , 0.334 less. than the Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and 0.481 less than Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
Qualifying was marked by complaints from several drivers due to the amount of sand on the track, which made it difficult for the cars to gain grip, something that will certainly be a factor to take into account in the Qatar Grand Prix.
*with agencies
Source: DN
