Max Verstappen, champion for the third year in a row

He Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), whowho this Saturday became, mathematically, a three-time Formula 1 world champion, was announced shortly after he got out of the car at the Lusail track, the home of Qatar Grand Prixseventeenth of the year, who is “very proud and happy”, who appreciates all the work the team has done and who hopes to “keep this winning streak going”.

“I’m very proud and happy, and I’m very grateful to everyone in the team, for the sensational job that the team did. The sprint was exciting, it’s a shame that so many safety cars came out,” commented Verstappen, who turned 26 a week ago, after which finished second in the reduced test, which the Australian won Oscar Piastri (McLaren).

“Now I want to enjoy this moment. I hope we can keep this winning streak going for a long time,” said ‘Mad Max’ this Saturday at the Lusai circuit.

Verstappen, who turned 26 a week ago, was mathematically crowned world champion for the third consecutive year before ending a sprint that saw him finish sixth or his team-mate, Mexican Sergio Pérez – who retired in eleventh of 19 laps, after touching Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and German Nico Hülkenberg (Haas)– did not finish among the top three.

In any case, and although ‘Czech‘I wouldn’t have to go,’Mad Max‘ would be declared the champion, as he finished second in a humpback sprint in which the safety car entered the track three times.

On its part, Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull), second in the Formula 1 World Championship, which he had to leave this Saturday – when he was involved in an accident caused by Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and German Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) – sprint Qatar Grand Prix, he said on the Lusail track to congratulate his teammate, Dutchman Max Verstappen, brand new three-time world champion; and that for him it was “a shame to be in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

“First of all, I want to congratulate Max; he did a great job and worked very hard, together with the team, so I’m happy for them. The way he drove Max “It has to be one of the best in the history of the sport,” he said.Czech‘, born 33 years ago in Guadalajara (Jalisco), with six victories and 34 podiums in the Premier category.

“He drove at another level. He was outstanding; and he deserves all the success and recognition he is getting,” said the brave driver from Guadalajara, who has 223 World Championship points, 184 less than the already mathematically elusive Verstappen; and that this Sunday the thirteenth u Lusail.

“It was my fault. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time; and there was nothing I could do, unfortunately; and I ended up with serious damage to my car. It was a frustrating afternoon because I think we had the pace ..” to score good points . Now I have to recover with an eye on tomorrow, do my best and come back as strong as I can,” he declared.Czechthis Saturday at Catarrh.