Despite Singaporean GP winner Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri and other drivers’ efforts, Max Verstappen claims his reign as a three-time world champion after finishing second behind the Australian in the Losail Circuit Sprint on Saturday. While many expected this outcome, many hoped for a dramatic and emotional impact on the day, such as his controversial last-lap overtake of Lewis Hamilton for the 2021 title. However, the three-time world champion demonstrated why he is the best in the Grand Prix when he achieved his 14th title of the season with a +4.833s and +5.969s margin over the two McLaren drivers.
MAX VERSTAPPEN.
THREE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION! 👑👑👑 pic.twitter.com/IvcQOA5wu4
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 7, 2023
Max Verstappen Becomes the Fifth Driver to Win Three World Titles in a Row
After Sergio Perez left the sprint on Saturday after spinning into the gravel in a three-way collision with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg, Max had a free half-race to lap his title as a three-time world champion. However, he did not take his petal off the gas and was hungry for more silverware as he earned his 14th win of the 2023 F1 season at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday.
This win means that Verstappen has won an astounding 14 of 17 races during the 2023 season and has finished outside the top two just once in a historic year for the driver and Red Bull. Furthermore, the Dutch driver joins Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Niki Lauda, Sir Jackie Stewart and Jack Brabham with three world titles and is behind only Sebastian Vettel as the youngest three-time world champion in history.
Moreover, his accolades do not perceive him as he is now the fifth-most winningest driver in Formula 1 history, and he could move as high as third if he wins the remaining races this season. While many neutral fans would dislike to hear it, it is nothing short of what he deserves for his outstanding performance. You can argue that the latest creation from Red Bull gave him a massive edge, but he contributed as much or more in his driving skills to earn him his crown of three-time world champion ahead of teammate Sergio Perez this year.
@ethanflry 3 times World Champion 🦁 #f1 #maxverstappen #f1edit #qatar #champion #redbull #unleashthelion ♬ son original – ethan⁶³
Max Verstappen Applauds Team Effort in Dominant Season and Claims This Title as the Best
Max Verstappen was not always the one to brag about his own accomplishments, and he showed it in the team radio chat after finishing second in the sprint on Saturday. “Unbelievable guys. I do not know what to say. Incredible year. Thank you for providing me with such a car. It has been a pleasure so far this year, and I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone here at the track, back at the factory, putting all the effort into achieving something like this. I cannot thank you all enough.”
When asked about his feelings after cementing his three-time world champion status with his 14th win on Sunday, the driver replied: “This one is the best. I think the first one was the most emotional because that is when you fulfilled your dreams in F1. But this one definitely, in my opinion, has been my best year also for consecutive wins and stuff. The car itself has been probably in the best shape as well. This one is probably (The one) I am most proud of in a way because of consistency.”
As for standing alongside the greats of the sports, Max replied: “I achieved more than I could have ever dreamed of or any goals that I wanted to achieve in F1. So I am loving the moment. We will see where we end up. It is already way more than I ever thought I could achieve, so it is perfect.”
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What an amazing year! It is incredible to be part of this team, @redbullracing 🙌 Thank you to everyone at the track and back in the factory for all the effort that has gone into this year to achieve this, we can all be very proud 👏
To be a three time World Champion… pic.twitter.com/b1VmK1rO9H
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) October 7, 2023
Nico Rosberg Claims Max Verstappen Is Close to Being the Greatest Five Formula 1 Driver of All Time
While the three-time world champion seems humbled by his achievement, the former 2016 World Champion claims he is already one of the best F1 drivers ever. “It is really historic. The run of form he has had, the level he is driving at and the records he is beating. It is unbelievable and unreal. It is so motivating for those within team Red Bull to know they have one of the greatest drivers of all time driving their machine.”
Furthermore, the former teammate of Lewis Hamilton claims the three-time world champion is well on his way to cementing his status as one of the GOATs in the sport. “He is even getting close to those five greatest of all time now. It is spectacular. With his driving skills, he is getting close to the Fangios, Schumacher, Sennas and Hamiltons.”
Also Read: Max Verstappen Delivered Red Bull Racing Record 12 Straight Wins in the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix
the nico rosberg curse wont mean shit to max i fear its gonna transfer to perez instead pic.twitter.com/E9KKmre8xn
— nini (@SCUDERIAFEMBOY) October 8, 2023
What Is Next for the Three-Time World Champion?
The hardest thing in sports is not reaching the top but staying at the top. Thus, what does three-time world champion Max Verstappen have to do for the remainder of the season? Firstly, he could break the single-season record he set just one year ago by winning two of the remaining five races.
If we look further ahead, he could attempt to break Sebastian Vettel’s career title total of 53 at the 2023 finale in Abu Dhabi. After that, only Michael Schumacher (91) and Hamilton (103 and counting) lie ahead of him. How many more titles will he continue to win, and has he cemented his status as one of the GOATs? Let us know on our site here.
