when can max verstappen win the championship 2023

Max Verstappen could win the 2023 Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship as early as the Qatar Sprint race in October 2023. At that time, he had built a dominant points lead over his closest challenger, teammate Sergio Perez, which allowed him to clinch the title by securing a few more points in the remaining races. Specifically, Verstappen needed to finish sixth or higher in the Qatar Sprint to become the first driver ever to clinch the title in a Sprint race. If Perez finished outside the top three in that Sprint, Verstappen would also clinch the title regardless of his own finish. By the time of the Qatar Sprint weekend, Verstappen had a points gap that rendered it mathematically possible for him to secure the championship with five races still to go. This victory would mark his third consecutive world title, joining an elite group of drivers with three or more consecutive championships.