Only four pilots in its entire history Formula 1 they managed to win three consecutive world championships: Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. It is about to be added to this list Max Verstappenthe winner of almost every match in the 2023 season in the Red Bull RB19.
The Dutchman won the first event of the year and has been the drivers’ championship leader ever since, always with team-mate Sergio Czech Pérez back, and There seems to be no doubt that he will become champion, although that is not yet a fact.
More | Formula 1: 2023 drivers’ and manufacturers’ championship positions
When can Verstappen become champion? How many more points do you need?
When can Max Verstappen become champion?
Max Verstappen can’t be crowned champion at the Japanese GP this Sunday, September 24: has a lead of 151 points up Czech Pérez, who, at most, could reach 177 points and after Suzuka 180 will be at stake, because in Qatar, Austin and Brazil the sprint will also be held on Saturday which gives 8 points to the winner.
Verstappen could only be champion in Qatar on Saturday, October 7, in the sprint race.
For that, Max he needs to add 21 more points than Pérez between the race in Japan and the Lusail sprintwhich – for example – he would have achieved if he had won both competitions, set the fastest lap of the race at Suzuka and Czech He does not finish in the top five in either the Japanese GP or the Qatar sprint. If Verstappen scores 34 points between the Japanese GP and the Qatar sprint, Pérez will be obliged to reach at least 14 points between those two events.
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso still have a mathematical chance of becoming champions, but for that they practically need to add as many points as possible between now and the end of the season and Verstappen not to add more, except to overtake. Czech Perez, who has a significant advantage over them.
Last year Verstappen was champion in Japan, but with four races to go. This year, if I did it in Qatar, I would achieve it with five contests in advance.
