Max Verstappen’s first chance to wrap up the 2023 drivers’ crown to come in the Qatar GP Sprint on October 7, live on Sky Sports F1; Red Bull driver will have two chances across the weekend as F1 returns to Losail International Circuit
Last Updated: 25/09/23 1:45pm
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Max Verstappen reflects on an unbelievable season after winning the Japanese Grand Prix gave Red Bull the 2023 Constructors’ Championship
Max Verstappen has moved to the brink of his third Formula 1 drivers’ title and is in line to secure the 2023 championship next time out at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s 13th win of his extraordinarily dominant season at Suzuka moved him 177 points clear of team-mate Sergio Perez, now his sole-remaining mathematical challenger, with only 180 left to play for over the six Grands Prix and three Sprints that remain.
Verstappen therefore needs just three more points in total between now and 2023’s chequered flag in Abu Dhabi on November 26 to join the illustrious ranks of triple F1 champions.
His first chance comes on F1’s second-ever visit to Qatar’s Losail International Circuit on October 7-8.
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Watch all of the action from the Japanese Grand Prix as Max Verstappen takes another win
How Verstappen can be champion in the Qatar Sprint
In a season that Verstappen and Red Bull have already achieved a number of ’firsts’ in F1 history, another one now presents itself on Saturday October 7.
Verstappen will become the first driver to clinch a title in a Sprint race if he finishes sixth or higher (three points or more) in the short-form format on the Saturday.
That is irrespective of where Perez finishes.
And, in any case, if Perez does not finish in the top three of the Sprint, Verstappen is champion anyway.
Watch the Qatar Sprint live at 6.30pm on Sky Sports F1 on Saturday October 7.
How points are awarded in F1 Sprints
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 8 |
| 2nd | 7 |
| 3rd | 6 |
| 4th | 5 |
| 5th | 4 |
| 6th | 3 |
| 7th | 2 |
| 8th | 1 |
Sprints were only introduced into the sport on select Saturdays in 2021, with Qatar the fourth of sixth such events in 2023.
Even if he were to DNF in the Sprint and Perez win it, Max would still need to score just three points in the Grand Prix the next day – and indeed anywhere over the rest of the season – to be sure of the title whatever his team-mate does.
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Karun Chandhok called it ’one of the greatest qualifying laps in F1 history’. Take a look at Max Verstappen’s incredible pole lap at the Suzuka Circuit
When to watch the Qatar GP live only on Sky Sports F1
Friday October 6
- 2pm: Qatar GP Practice One (Session starts 2.30pm)
- 5.30pm: Qatar GP Qualifying build-up
- 6pm: Qatar GP Qualifying
Saturday October 7
- 1.30pm: Sprint Shootout build-up
- 2pm: Sprint Shootout
- 5.30pm: Sprint build-up
- 6.30pm: SPRINT
Sunday October 8
- 4.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up
- 6pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
- 8pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP reaction
Will Max Verstappen wrap up his third world championship at the first attempt at the Qatar GP? Watch every session of the Sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1 from October 6-8. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW. Cancel anytime
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