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Max Verstappen has had an outstanding season.
CNN
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Max Verstappen won the sprint race title at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday, making him his third F1 world champion.
In sports, few outcomes seem inevitable. In F1, human and engineering mistakes can happen at any time, and competitors are waiting to pounce. But every once in a while, someone comes along and takes control in a way that obliterates any expectation of outcome or any lingering tension.
Verstappen’s coronation was a moment that seemed inevitable since the first race of the season, when he led the field from start to finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
To win, the 26-year-old, who has won 13 of the 16 races so far this season, will need to finish sixth or higher in the sprint race, a shortened version of the traditional Sunday main race first introduced in the 2021 season. Ta. title.
Teammate Sergio Perez, the only driver capable of challenging Verstappen for the championship, crashed on lap 11 of 19 and was unable to score any championship points, but the Dutchman, who finished second in the race, It was certain that he would win the title. .
“It feels great. It’s been a great year. I’m very proud of the team’s work,” Verstappen told Sky Sports. “Being a world champion three times is just incredible.”
Verstappen qualified third for the 100km race under the lights at the Lusail circuit, with Perez five places behind on the start line, meaning Verstappen will be able to successfully defend his title on Saturday. It seemed inevitable.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who took qualifying pole position, won an exciting sprint that included three safety cars. His teammate Lando Norris overtook Mercedes’ George Russell late in the race to take third place.
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Max Verstappen celebrates his third world title.
Overtures of a potential battle within Red Bull began to flow early in the season, with Sergio Perez and Verstappen sharing two wins each after the first four races, but the Dutchman’s record of 10 consecutive wins was broken. His run confirmed his absolute authority.
Due to Red Bull’s overwhelming dominance, at one point it seemed likely, if not possible, that the team would win every race of the season. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz’s win at last month’s Singapore Grand Prix erased that achievement, but that didn’t diminish the magnitude of Red Bull’s achievement.
The team won its second consecutive constructors’ championship at last month’s Japanese Grand Prix with six races remaining.
The car is widely hailed as one of the greatest cars in the history of the sport, and has somehow proven even more successful than last year’s model, which won 17 of 22 races.
When one of the all-time greats, now Verstappen, drives such an impressive car, it’s sporting alchemy.
“Everything he’s achieved this year has been phenomenal,” team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports.
“He’s the most competitive driver I’ve ever met. His determination to drive, his passion, his heart, his dedication, and of course the wealth of skill he has, he’s out there with the best. is.”
With this title, Verstappen joins the greats Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna as three-time world champions of the sport.
Only five other drivers have won more world titles: Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel.