MADRID, 7 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Dutch Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull) was proclaimed world champion this Saturday for the third time, during the sprint of the Qatar Grand Prix, where the Spaniards Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) suffered with the soft tires in the final part, sixth and ninth.
Verstappen took the title with six races left in the Championship, including this Sunday in Lusail. The Dutchman was champion on Saturday when his teammate Sergio Pérez went off the track on lap 11. His only and very distant rival had to finish on the podium to extend the score.
The champion defended his title to join Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna with three on his record. ‘Mad Max’ was second in the Qatar sprint behind Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, while Lando Norris’ other orange car completed the podium after a great comeback with a medium tire that finished better than the soft one.