Verstappen looking to break 40-year-old F1 record at 'complicated' Qatar Grand Prix
Verstappen looking to break 40-year-old F1 record at 'complicated' Qatar Grand Prix
Max Verstappen has said that his 'main objective' for this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix is to win the world championship on Saturday, so that he's able to enjoy Sunday's race.
The Dutchman will win his third consecutive drivers' world championship if he can claim three points during Saturday's sprint race by finishing in the top six.
Even if he's not able to do this, he will likely win the championship on Sunday when there's more points on offer, but Verstappen has expressed his desire to get it done on Saturday.
READ MORE: Unstoppable Verstappen is a MAJOR PROBLEM for F1
"It's nice to arrive in Qatar with the constructors' title already in my pocket," he told media before the weekend.
"This track is a lot of fun, even if it will be complicated due to the climate. My main objective is to win the drivers' title already in the sprint race on Saturday and I will make sure that it can be another weekend to remember in the years."
Record-breaking Verstappen
If he can clinch the championship on Saturday, he will become the first man to win a world championship on a Saturday since Nelson Piquet in 1983.
That particular race in South Africa was held on a Saturday and just so happened to be the last race of the 1983 season.
The record has stood for 40 years and he now has the chance to break it as a result of F1's new sprint format.
With Red Bull already having the constructors' title in the bag, team principal Christian Horner has warned his team against complacency, particularly with this weekend being a sprint weekend.
If and when Verstappen clinches the title, it will represent quite how dominant the team have been in 2023, having both titles sewn up with five races still left to go in the season after Qatar.
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Verstappen setup quirk which allows Red Bull to make car even faster
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton hit with SURPRISE Ferrari claim as new Cullen relationship blossoms - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Current F1 star qualifies for world championship race on two wheels
- Yesterday 22:57
Ricciardo given HUGE boost after upgrade claim
- Yesterday 21:57
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- Yesterday 20:57
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- Yesterday 19:57
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
- Yesterday 18:57
Related news
Kravitz reveals awkward Wolff story following Hamilton F1 drama
Sainz makes 'cruel' F1 revelation
Mercedes admit Russell/Hamilton clash 'seriously compromised' strategy
Alonso explains why Qatar GP was one of the 'toughest races in history'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860