In a historic first, Max Verstappen has clinched his third Formula 1 title without even driving in the Grand Prix. The Red Bull ace secured the championship after finishing second in the Qatar GP sprint race.
Verstappen Wins Championship without a Grand Prix
Despite not winning the sprint race, Verstappen's second-place finish was enough for him to secure the Drivers Championship title. This marks Verstappen's third consecutive world crown, with six races still to go in the season.
Pressure Mounts on Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez's poor performance and a crash in the sprint race made it impossible for Verstappen's championship challenge to be taken to the wire. Perez has faced criticism from Red Bull's motorsport advisor and is under pressure to justify his place in the team.
Verstappen's Dominant Season
Verstappen's victory in Qatar adds to his season of unparalleled dominance. He has won 13 out of 16 races so far, breaking records along the way. The 26-year-old has rewritten the record books by winning 10 races in a row, surpassing former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel's record set in 2013.
Verstappen's Gratitude
After securing the championship, Verstappen expressed his gratitude to his team. He thanked them for providing him with a great car and praised their hard work and dedication. Verstappen emphasized the joy of working with his team and called it the most important thing.
Other Results in Qatar GP sprint race
Oscar Piastri won the sprint race for McLaren, securing his first win in F1. Lando Norris finished third, while George Russell and Lewis Hamilton came in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Pitstop Concerns at Qatar Grand Prix
The FIA, Formula 1's governing body, is concerned about potential tyre damage caused by new kerbs at the Lusail International Circuit. Tyre supplier Pirelli flagged the issue, and pending further investigations, the FIA may require teams to make three pitstops to prevent blowouts.
It's worth noting that this international sporting event has had no pilot events with an F1 car, and there are no additional races on the schedule, unlike other races in the F1 calendar.
