Verstappen officially three-time F1 world champion, even before the end of the sprint race
At the end of the sprint race in Qatar, Max Verstappen officially becomes world champion for the third consecutive time. Sergio Perez, hooked in the sprint race, gives the title to Verstappen even before the end of the race.
It was a formality, but it didn’t go as one might imagine. It’s now official: Max Verstappen joins the exclusive circle of triple Formula 1 world champions.
It took a crash from Sergio Perez on the 12th lap of the sprint race, to obliterate Perez’s chances. Max Verstappen thus obtains the necessary points to clinch a third consecutive title even before the end of the sprint race.
Dominating throughout the season behind the wheel of a powerful Red Bull, Verstappen never had any competition at his level except for the first three Grand Prix where his Mexican teammate created some illusion.
With this third title acquired, Verstappen thus becomes the equal of Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, and the Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna. Only 5 drivers are still ahead of Mad Max in the number of world titles: Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel with 4 championships, Juan Manuel Fangio with his 5 titles, and the two record holders in the category Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton and their 7 titles.
At 26 years old, the Dutchman can afford to dream big since the regulations will change very little next year, which would bring him a little closer to the behemoths of the Queen category at the Pantheon before the upheaval of 2026. It’s up to him and Red Bull to do the work but until then, they have 6 Grand Prix this season to fully enjoy this new coronation.
