“Don’t Play With Championship”: Max Verstappen Urged to Not Let Personal Bias Get in the Way of 3rd Title

Extra racing action during race weekends? Sign us up! Who wouldn’t want to see Formula 1 cars fight against each other more often than we do (even though in 2023, we can almost always predict who will come out on top)? Max Verstappen doesn’t. Since F1 introduced Sprint races in 2021, the Dutchman has been opposed to its concept, especially because it interfered with the race weekend procedure. This year, though, new format changes made it so that the Sprint would be entirely separate from qualifying and the main race. Even so, Verstappen is “not a fan of it at all.”

Earlier this year, he said, “When we’re going to do all that stuff, the weekend becomes even more intense, and we’re already doing so many races.” Even though he has a point, at the end of the day, he has to accept that this is how it will be. At the Qatar GP this weekend, he might even have to put aside his dislike for the format completely. Why? Because he can win the championship on Saturday!

Could Max Verstappen change his stance on Sprints after Qatar?

“it’s not worth it for me,” Verstappen said. “I’m not enjoying that,” he said. After Verstappen expressed how much he hated the Sprint format, Helmut Marko said he might start liking it when he wins them. Even though the reigning champion has a few Sprint wins to his name now, his perspective hasn’t changed. But if he wins his third championship during the Sprint, could that change his mind? He currently has a 177-point lead in the championship and only needs 3 more to seal it. Anything higher than a P7 finish in the Sprint would give him the title.

Since he’s so opposed to the format, could he sit the Sprint out and go for the win on Sunday? That’s what former Ferrari General Manager Peter Windsor was asked during his Japanese GP debrief. Windsor replied, “If I was Max, I’d say, ‘Bring back the garlands. I’ll try and win it in the Sprint race.’ Because if you win the championship, you want a garland, don’t you? You want to have that whole thing.” Windsor recounted an incident from 1979. He said, I immediately think of Monza ‘79. Carlos Reutemann said to me, ‘I’d just been talking to Gilles [Villeneuve], and I say to him, ‘Gilles, you no play with the championship because you only have one chance. You have chance to keep championship alive tomorrow. Do not give race to Jody [Scheckter].” 

Villeneuve did end up giving the championship to Scheckter by following team orders. But Windsor knows Verstappen will do nothing to compromise his title-winning chances. He said, “No, I don’t think he’ll play around with it. You don’t play around with the championship. If you’ve got a chance to win the championship in the Sprint race, you go for it. And I’m sure that’s the way Max and his team would be thinking.” 

Read More: Who Can Stop Max Verstappen From Winning His 3rd Championship at Qatar Grand Prix?

Despite his dislike for the format, it’s a race. And when it’s a race, nothing can stop Verstappen from completely tuning in. The best-case scenario? He’ll win the championship on Saturday and can drive a relaxing race on Sunday. It brings up the question, though: can anyone stop him from winning the title in Qatar?

Sergio Perez could delay Verstappen’s title celebrations

Mathematically, Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez could still equal the Dutchman’s points tally. Practically, it’s almost impossible. As good as Verstappen’s chances of winning the championship in Qatar look, Perez has a chance to postpone Verstappen’s third title. If Verstappen leaves Qatar with a 146-point gap, he’ll be champion. To stop that from happening, here’s what Perez needs to do. 

On Saturday, the Mexican will need a second-place finish regardless of where his teammate finishes. If Perez wins and Verstappen fails to finish, the fight (if you can even call it that) will continue into Sunday. But if Verstappen follows his Saturday DNF with anything better than a P9 on Sunday, he’ll be champion. If Perez wins on Saturday, he’ll have to win his 3rd race in 2023 to delay Verstappen’s 3rd title. Mathematically, that’s how Perez can stop Verstappen’s charge. Considering how 2023 has played out for both of them, the scales are definitely in the Dutchman’s favor.

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Would you like to see Max Verstappen win the championship on Saturday?