Third Time a Charm: Max Verstappen clinches 2023 F1 title in Qatar

• Only Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel (four), Juan Manuel Fangio (five), and Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (seven) have won more world championships.

It has been inevitable from the opening round of the season and now it’s official—Max Verstappen is the 2023 Formula 1 World Champion.

Verstappen sealed the world championship via the outcome of Saturday evening’s Sprint Race at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar. He entered the short 19-lap race with a lead of 177 points and had to avoid being out-scored by Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by six points to wrap up proceedings.

Verstappen was officially assured of the crown when teammate Perez was involved in a collision just over halfway through the race. Perez was pitched into the Turn 2 gravel, and into retirement, after he tangled with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg.

The order of the race was already set to assure Verstappen of the world title, before Perez’s exit, but the new three-time World Champion went on to finish the race in second place.

McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri converted pole position into first spot in the Sprint Race to take the maximum eight points as he continued his impressive 2023 campaign.

“Of course it’s a fantastic feeling, it’s been incredible year, lots of great races,” said Verstappen.

“It’s an incredible job by the team, it’s so enjoyable to be part of that group of people. To be a three-time World Champion is incredible.

“We’ll keep on pushing and try and to the best we can. I’m enjoying the moment. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going for a while.”

It is a third successive Formula 1 championship for Verstappen, who turned 26 last Saturday.

He clinched the 2021 title on the final lap of the season after a year-long duel with Lewis Hamilton, which was determined in controversial circumstances on the final lap of the season.

Verstappen’s 2022 season started slowly under new technical regulations but he and Red Bull swiftly kicked on to wrap up proceedings with four events left to run, setting a new record of 15 wins in a season.

Verstappen’s 2023 campaign has been even smoother, winning 13 of the 16 races held so far in the class-leading RB19, including a record 10 in a row, to clinch the crown with six races left to play for.

Verstappen joins Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna as a three-time Formula 1 World Champion.

Only Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel (four), Juan Manuel Fangio (five), and Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (seven) have won more world championships.

Verstappen is already favorite to add to his success in the coming years due to Red Bull’s current advantage and the relatively stable regulations through 2025, prior to the introduction of new chassis and engine rules in 2026.

Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull Racing through the 2028 season after signing a long-term deal in early 2022.