Dutch driver Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, remains the overall leader in the Formula 1 World Championship as the weekend arrives. The plan is clear: compute the precise path to a third straight title while engaging in a sprint-format round that could seal the crown earlier than Sunday. A top finish in the sprint race, even if it is relatively modest, could be enough to clinch the championship, depending on how his rivals perform. The target is straightforward: secure enough points this Saturday to confirm the championship without waiting for the final race of the weekend.
With four rounds completed in the sprint format this season, Verstappen, who celebrated his 26th birthday last weekend, already owns thirteen wins this season after clinching victory in Suzuka two weeks ago at the Japanese Grand Prix. The gap to his teammate Sergio Pérez, who sits second in the standings, is substantial enough that the Dutch driver could lift the championship trophy on Saturday even if the sprint race does not yield points for him, provided Pérez does not finish in the top three. The mathematical path remains straightforward: Verstappen can secure the title with a solid performance in the sprint, highlighting a remarkable season dominated by Red Bull.
Refer to the overall standings of the Formula 1 World Championship for the latest totals.
Red Bull’s dominance in the constructors’ standings appears secure for Suzuka as the team pursues additional validation of its supremacy. The possibility remains that Verstappen could secure the title on Saturday night, with Sunday offering a celebratory cap if needed. Even if Verstappen were to falter in the main race, a dominant run could still be enough to crown him, depending on how others perform, including the fastest-lap scenarios. In short, the weekend’s results could accelerate the declaration of a new champion, much to the delight of the Dutch racing fans.
Is there life in the sport after Verstappen? The answer is yes. The competition remains open in other corners of the starting grid, with drivers ready to capitalize on any misstep and keep the title fight alive across the season.
Refer to the season calendar for the broader context of F1 events this year.
Seven-time British world champion Lewis Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, and the seasoned Spanish driver Fernando Alonso, behind the wheel of Aston Martin, remain the oldest names among the contenders for a podium spot this season. The race in Lusail will be staged on a 5,419-meter track featuring 16 corners, with six deceptive left-hand bends that test high-speed balance and precision through a lengthy stretch of straights and curves.
Hamilton sits on 190 points, shadowing the Spaniard’s rising form and a more distant challenge from Carlos Sainz of Ferrari. Sainz delivered Red Bull’s sole win this season in Singapore, marking his second career victory after a breakthrough at Silverstone last year. The battle for podium places remains intense as the season progresses toward its final stages.
F1 Qatar Grand Prix schedule:
Friday, October 6:
Free practice 1: 15:30 – 16:30
Qualifying: 19:00 – 20:00
Saturday, October 7:
Sprint qualifying: 15:00
Sprint: 19:30
Sunday, October 8:
Race: 19:00 (57 laps).