Will Max Verstappen Do The Hat Trick in F1

Max Verstappen is on the verge of a hat trick in Formula One. As early as this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen may seal the deal on the drivers’ title.
Two-time defending champion Max Verstappen returned to the top of the podium in Japan to extend his advantage to 177 points over Red Bull colleague Sergio Perez with six races remaining in the 23-race season.

This massive advantage means that Verstappen may mathematically clinch the championship during the Sprint on the Saturday before the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday, October 8.

With 180 points still up for grabs over the course of the final six grand prix weekends, all Verstappen needs is three points to clinch the championship with a sixth-place finish in the Sprint.

In 2021, Verstappen won the championship in dramatic manner with a last-race, last-lap pass of Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

He clinched the title at the Japanese Grand Prix on October 9, 2022, with four rounds remaining.

Drivers’ Standings 2023 F1 – Max Verstappen @ Top

1. Max Verstappen (1), Red Bull-Honda RBPT – 400
2. Sergio Perez (11), Red Bull-Honda RBPT – 223
3. Lewis Hamilton (44), Mercedes – 190
4. Fernando Alonso (14), Aston Martin-Mercedes – 174
5. Carlos Sainz (55), Ferrari – 150
6. Charles Leclerc (16), Ferrari – 135
7. Lando Norris (4), McLaren-Mercedes – 115
8. George Russell (63), Mercedes – 115
9. Oscar Piastri (81), McLaren-Mercedes – 57
10. Lance Stroll (18), Aston Martin-Mercedes – 47
11. Pierre Gasly (10), Alpine-Renault – 46
12. Esteban Ocon (31), Alpine-Renault – 38
13. Alexander Albon (23), Williams-Mercedes – 21
14. Nico Hülkenberg, (27), Haas-Ferrari – 9
15. Valtteri Bottas (77), Alfa Romeo-Ferrari – 6
16. Zhou Guanyu (24), Alfa Romeo-Ferrari – 4
17. Yuki Tsunoda (22), AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT – 3
18. Kevin Magnussen (20), Haas-Ferrari – 3
19. Liam Lawson (40), AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT – 2
20. Logan Sargeant (2), Williams-Mercedes – 0
21. Nyck De Vries (21), AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT – 0
22. Daniel Ricciardo (3), AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT – 0

Remaining 2023 F1 schedule

Qatar Grand Prix
Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar
October 8, 1 p.m. ET

United States Grand Prix
Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas
October 22, 3 p.m. ET

Mexico City Grand Prix
Autdoromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City
October 29, 4 p.m. ET

Sao Paulo Grand Prix
José Carlos Pace Autodrome, São Paulo
November 5, noon ET

Las Vegas Grand Prix
Las Vegas Strip Street Circuit, Las Vegas
November 19, 1 a.m. ET

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
November 26, 8 a.m. ET

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