Max Verstappen will start the Qatar Grand Prix on pole position knowing that he could already have the title wrapped up before he even steps into the cockpit on Sunday. The Dutchman is 177 points clear of Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in the Drivers’ Championship and won’t be caught in 2023 as he storms his way to a third consecutive title.
He needs only three points to be confirmed world champion and he can confirm his status in the sprint race on Saturday evening at the Lusail Circuit. Verstappen only needs to take sixth place when he goes across the finish line to begin his title celebrations.
The 26-year-old hasn’t finished lower than third in any of the three sprint races so far, as well as winning in Austria and Azerbaijan, so it would take something special to deny him the mathematical title victory in Qatar. Qualifying for the sprint race takes place from 2pm (UK time) on Saturday.
As for Sunday’s race, Mercedes are well positioned to secure another double podium finish in their battle for second against Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship. George Russell qualified second and Lewis Hamilton third after McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had their lap times deleted for exceeding track limits, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is in fifth behind Fernando Alonso.
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