How Can Max Verstappen Win the Championship at the Qatar GP?

The inevitable is finally close and we can count the days before Max Verstappen and Red Bull can wrap up the 2023 season trophy haul. There are six races still to go, but the champions-elect are all but ready to start collecting trophies. Red Bull as a team has started their celebrations after sealing the constructors’ title for this year in Japan. However, Verstappen isn’t going to be left behind with his driver’s championship yet to be sealed. The Qatar GP will mostly be the venue for the crowning of the Dutchman as a three-time champion. Although, what are the combinations-permutations for him to seal it?

Unlike last year’s confusion in Japan, the scenarios for Max to win the championship in Qatar under the lights seem pretty straightforward. In terms of the constructor’s title, Red Bull officially got crowned as champions by the end of the Japanese GP as they had to outscore Mercedes by 1 point. Similarly, Verstappen could win the championship even before the Grand Prix starts at the Lusail International Circuit on Sunday. Yes, it’s that easy now!

As the Qatar GP is a sprint race weekend, the sprint race on Saturday could be the race where Verstappen gets the championship. For him to be champion by the end of the Sprint, he just needs to finish 6th or higher (needing only 3 points) as per Sky Sports.

His closest challenger in the standings, Sergio Perez may finish anywhere & it doesn’t matter until Max finishes outside the top 6 in the sprint. Even that will only delay the inevitable crowning moment for Max until Sunday’s Grand Prix. Also if Checo doesn’t finish in the top 3 in the sprint race in Qatar, Verstappen can be champion anyway, even if he DNFs! All those dominant wins helping out now…

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

After Verstappen’s intimidating comments ahead of Japan, everyone on the grid got a taste of the same brutal dominance. As if Singapore GP never happened for Red Bull, to quote Max! Although, Sergio Perez would like to disagree a tad given his miseries in Suzuka. So how contrasting did it get for the two Red Bull drivers on the team’s 6th F1 constructors’ triumph day?

“Unbelievable” vs. “Disastrous” – Max Verstappen & Sergio Perez on their Japanese GP experience amid Red Bull triumph

Naturally, Sergio Perez was extremely happy for his team’s dominant performance to win the constructors title in Japan. But he experienced arguably one of his worst races in a long time. Meanwhile, Verstappen was elated to bits after romping the field in a classy & dominant drive in Honda’s backyard. It could not have been more contrasting for the Bulls!

Verstappen stated, “It’s an unbelievable weekend. To win here was great. I think the car was working really well on every [tire] compound. But of course, the most important was also to win the constructors’. I’m very proud of everyone working at the track but also back at the factory. We’re having an incredible year.” On the other hand, Checo was in another realm of disappointment for not contributing in any way toward Red Bull’s biggest moment.

Perez said, “It was just a disastrous weekend. It all started into Turn 1 with a really bad start.” The Mexican recalled all his bad moments throughout the Japanese GP race before congratulating the team. He added, “It’s been an incredible year. I’m really happy to contribute to the constructors’. It’s a very special day for the whole team, to finally clinch that constructors’ title.”

Perez said he would have loved to clinch the title in Japan with a 1-2 finish. Nevertheless, he could try & be at the top to celebrate Max Verstappen’s 3-time champion moment in Qatar. He may not be able to delay it any further for sure unless Verstappen just has a nightmare, retiring in both races!

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