Formula One heads to Qatar for the next round, with the Qatar GP being the third Sprint weekend this season. A total of 180 points are still up for grabs, with Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez on second with 177 points to his name. As a result, Verstappen only needs to finish sixth or higher in the Sprint race regardless of where his teammate finishes to secure his third-straight World Championship title, even before the main race!
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In an unlikely event, if Verstappen finishes P7 in the Sprint Race, he could still win the Championship there and then if Checo does not win the race. If Max ends up on P8, he would need Perez to finish third or lower. What seems even more unlikely is that both Red Bull drivers fail to score points at the Qatar GP Sprint – which would again result in Verstappen securing the Championship.
Verstappen needs to be at least 146 points clear off his teammate to seal the title at the Qatar GP. Hence, even if the Red Bull posterboy scores no points at the Sprint race and Perez takes a win, Verstappen would still be crowned the Champion if he finishes eighth or higher at the Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Stay tuned to TOI Auto for all updates on the 2023 Formula 1 season, including all Qualifying, Sprint and Race reports.