Max Verstappen Secures Third Consecutive F1 Title in Qatar Grand Prix as Perez Crashes
Max Verstappen has etched his name in the history books as a triple Formula One world champion, joining the ranks of the greatest drivers in the sport. The Red Bull driver clinched his third consecutive championship title on Saturday, October 7, at the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race. His teammate and sole title rival, Sergio Perez, unfortunately crashed out of the race, ending his hopes of keeping the championship battle alive for another day.
Perez needed to finish in the top three to maintain a glimmer of hope for the championship, with the main grand prix scheduled for Sunday. However, his aspirations came to an abrupt halt after a collision with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg on lap 11, which resulted in Perez’s car getting stuck in the gravel.
With Perez out of contention, Verstappen, who started in third place and finished second behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, secured the championship title with an insurmountable lead of 184 points. Only 172 points remained up for grabs in the remaining races. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner celebrated Verstappen’s achievement, acknowledging him as a three-time world champion. Horner expressed his amazement and praised Verstappen’s incredible year.
In his response, Verstappen expressed his disbelief and gratitude to his team for providing him with an exceptional car throughout the season. He credited the year as a great experience and a lot of fun. At just 26 years old, Verstappen also became the second youngest triple world champion, following in the footsteps of retired German driver Sebastian Vettel. Vettel secured his third championship at the age of 25 in 2012 with Red Bull.
Notably, Verstappen’s championship victory came during a sprint race, making him the first driver to achieve such a feat. The last driver to claim the title on a Saturday was Brazilian triple champion Nelson Piquet in the 1980s.
While Verstappen celebrated his championship triumph, Piastri secured his first victory in Formula One by winning the sprint race. Piastri’s success broke Red Bull’s dominance in the sprints this season and marked a significant milestone in his F1 career. Lando Norris finished third, followed by Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, starting from 12th place, capitalized on the collisions ahead of him to secure a fifth-place finish.
The Qatar Grand Prix sprint race was eventful, with several safety car deployments due to incidents involving different drivers. Liam Lawson of AlphaTauri went off track at turn two, triggering the first safety car period. Williams’ Logan Sargeant also spun off into the gravel, necessitating another deployment. Lastly, Perez’s crash led to the third safety car period, leaving only a few laps for Verstappen to try and catch Piastri, which proved impossible.
Verstappen will start the main grand prix at Lusail on pole position, setting the stage for an exciting showdown to end the season. As fans eagerly anticipate the final races, Verstappen’s remarkable achievement as a three-time world champion solidifies his status as one of the sport’s greats.
