F1 fever to hit Qatar this weekend, Verstappen on brink of winning 3rd title

Red Bull driver has won 13 Grands Prix this season

By Can Erozden

Formula 1 is coming to Qatar this weekend and Red Bull's Max Verstappen is on the verge of winning his third title.

Back-to-back champion in 2021 and 2022, Verstappen, who won 13 Grands Prix this season, will secure the 2023 title if he finishes sixth or higher in the sprint on Saturday.

The Dutch racer is now on a 177-point lead over his Red Bull teammate and nearest opponent Sergio Perez with six rounds remaining.

This season Perez won twice; the Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan Grands Prix.

Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz won the Singapore GP in September, which is Ferrari's sole race win in the 2023 campaign.

In May, F1 canceled the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, round six of the F1 2023 season, due to flooding in northern Italy.

Only 180 points are available this season, which will end after Round 23 in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 26. Verstappen needs to score at least three points in Qatar to clinch the title.

Round 18, the 57-lap Qatar Grand Prix will take place at the 5.4 km Lusail International Circuit on Sunday, 1700GMT.

- Top 5 drivers

1. Max Verstappen (The Netherlands): 400 points

2. Sergio Perez (Mexico): 223

3. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain): 190

4. Fernando Alonso (Spain): 174

5. Carlos Sainz (Spain): 150

- Teams

1. Red Bull: 623

2. Mercedes: 305

3. Ferrari: 285

4. Aston Martin: 221