Max Verstappen sealed his third consecutive Formula 1 world championship at the Qatar Grand Prix last weekend, putting himself among the greats of the sport. Verstappen joins Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna as a three-time champion, but none of those drivers won their titles consecutively.
Verstappen's achievement is even more remarkable considering that he only made his F1 debut in 2015 at the age of 17. He quickly established himself as one of the most talented drivers on the grid, winning his first race at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.
In 2021, Verstappen challenged Lewis Hamilton for the world championship in one of the most thrilling seasons in F1 history. The two drivers went head-to-head on multiple occasions, with the title eventually decided on the final lap of the final race in Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen began the 2023 season in dominant form, winning the first two races of the year. He continued to perform consistently throughout the season, and by the time of the Qatar Grand Prix, he was already on the verge of securing the title.
Verstappen's third consecutive world championship is a testament to his talent, dedication and hard work. He is now one of the most successful drivers in F1 history, and he is still only 25 years old.
Analysis of Verstappen's 2023 season
Verstappen's 2023 season was one of the most complete of his career. He won 15 races, finished on the podium 18 times and took pole position 14 times. He was also incredibly consistent, finishing outside of the top five on just two occasions.
Verstappen's success was down to a number of factors. First, he had a very strong car in the RB19. Red Bull was able to develop a car that was both fast and reliable, and Verstappen was able to exploit its full potential.
Second, Verstappen himself was in superb form. He was able to consistently extract the maximum performance from the car, and he made very few mistakes. Verstappen's racecraft was also excellent, and he was able to win races from a variety of different starting positions.
Third, Verstappen had a good team behind him. Red Bull was able to provide him with the support he needed to succeed, and his engineers and mechanics worked tirelessly to give him the best possible car.
Verstappen's legacy
Verstappen is still only 25 years old, but he has already achieved a great deal in his career. He is a three-time world champion, and he is the youngest driver to win the title. Verstappen is also one of the most popular drivers in the sport, and he has a huge following around the world.
Verstappen is already considered to be one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, and he has the potential to achieve even more in the years to come. He is one of the most exciting and talented drivers on the grid, and he is sure to continue to entertain and thrill fans for many years to come.
Conclusion
Max Verstappen's achievement in winning three consecutive world championships is a remarkable one. He is now one of the most successful drivers in F1 history, and he is still only 25 years old. Verstappen has the potential to achieve even more in the years to come, and he is sure to continue to entertain and thrill fans for many years to come.