What needs to happen in Qatar for Max Verstappen to become World Champion

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Max Verstappen could wrap up his third consecutive Formula One World Championship this weekend in Qatar if everything goes his way.

The Dutchman has won 13 out of 16 races which have went ahead this year, a figure that could’ve been higher if the Emilia Romangna Grand Prix had gone ahead.

To showcase his dominance even further, he has only finished outside the podium spots once all year. Even this was due to penalties and safety cars going against him.

This rampant racing has left everyone else in the championships with no chance at challenging Verstappen.

He currently sits on 400 points in the championship, 177 ahead of his nearest contender Sergio Perez which makes means he has all but won already.

But when can he win the championship? And what needs to happen for him to do so?

When can Max Verstappen win the championship?

The question all season long has been when not if, Max Verstappen will be confirmed as champion for the third successive year.

This question has been answered by the Formula 1 official X account today.

They explain the only driver who could delay Verstappen’s triumph is his own teammate, Sergio Perez.

Verstappen needs to outscore Perez by just three points across the race weekend in Qatar in order to be crowned champion.

Tying the record for earliest win

If Verstappen does manage to win this weekend he will become the joint record holder for earliest win.

Michael Schumacher is the current holder as he won the 2002 championship with five to spare.

Verstappen would also be going one better than last season where he won with four to spare.

Undoubtedly this would take the pressure off and would allow Red Bull to turn attentions to important driver decisions as they have also wrapped up the constructors’ championship already.