At just 17 years old, Max Verstappen stepped into the Formula 1 scene. Max's experience before joining F1 was just karting and Formula 3. This was one of the reasons that FIA introduced the Super License. Max has been making and creating history since his start in the sport. Despite his baby-faced appearance, Verstappen possessed the heart of a lion and took control of the Toro Rosso and later the Red Bull racing machines with his instinctive racing style.
Verstappen's journey from being Formula 1's youngest points scorer to its youngest race winner is nothing short of remarkable. He achieved this feat at the tender age of 18 years and 228 days with a brilliant and calculated debut drive for Red Bull in Barcelona in 2016. His wheel-to-wheel racing prowess was on full display, exemplified by his stunning performance in Brazil, where he charged from the back of the pack to stand on the podium on a treacherous wet track. With a season as impressive as the one he is having in 2023, it comes as no surprise how his contention for the title in 2023 is undisputed. With two World Championships already under his name, Max is on track to become a three-time World Champion with Red Bull.
When can Max Verstappen become the World Champion?
Max Verstappen has dominated this season with 13 wins out of the 16 races done so far. With having such an impressive season it comes as no surprise that Max would be able to clinch the title for the season much before the final race of the season.
Currently, the maximum number of points possible from the remaining races is 180 points. And Max needs to conclude the Qatar Grand Prix with a 146 point lead over Sergio. These points come from three sprint races where the maximum points per sprint is 8 points. The six remaining feature races award a maximum of 25 points for winning the race and 1 point for the fastest lap. This amounts to 26 points per feature race.
Due to his surprising absence from the podium during the Singapore GP, Max was able to extend his lead from Perez, but not enough. Currently, the only drivers who can mathematically win the championship are Sergio Perez. Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso could not continue being in the championship race as they needed to outscore Max during the Japanese Grand Prix by 15 and 25 points respectively.
Currently, Max leads the championship with 177 points and with having the most race wins possible in the season, he will be winning the season in the ultimate round at Abu Dhabi regardless. Though it was not possible for Max to win the championship title at Suzuka, it is very probable he will be clinching the title in Qatar sprint race on Saturday itself. So, to delay the title, Sergio Perez will have to get the maximum points available during the weekend and would also require Max Verstappen to only score three points during the same.
Red Bull has already won the constructors championship in Japan despite having only one of their cars scoring points. Max was able to single-handedly out score the Mercedes and Ferrari duo and bring the Constructos home for Red Bull.
FAQs
A. Max can win the Championship in the Qatar Grand Prix’s Sprint race.
A. There are 23 races in the 2023 F1 season.
A. Red Bull won the Constructor's championship in Japan.
A. Ferrari has the most wins in the history of Formula 1.
