'Incredible year' - Max Verstappen celebrates 'fantastic feeling' after winning 2023 Formula 1 title

Three-time world champion Max Verstappen celebrated the “fantastic feeling” of winning the Formula One title at the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Race.

Verstappen needed to finish sixth in order to guarantee the championship, but that requirement fell away when his closest challenger and team-mate, Sergio Perez, crashed out halfway through the race.

That meant that the Dutchman was certain of winning his third title, and he was able to move up to second place ahead of crossing the finish line.

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri won the Sprint, but the focus was on the Dutchman as he claimed yet more success to crown a remarkable three years.

Speaking after the race, he said: “Of course, it's a fantastic feeling, it's been an incredible year and lots of great races and I feel super proud and super proud of the job of the team. It's been so enjoyable to be part of that group of people and to be three time world champion is just incredible."

Verstappen has previously talked about knowing he has a finite time in the sport, but he showed no indication that he wanted to step away from racing any time soon.

He added: "We will keep on pushing and try to do the best we can, also today was quite an exciting race, it was a bit of a shame with the safety cars but overall it was fun out there.

"I am just seeing what happens, I am enjoying the moment and hopefully of course we can keep this momentum going for a while."

Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, a former F1 driver himself, praised his son, saying: "Of course, we appreciate it, but it's also the way he did it, he was so dominant this year and he delivered really well and I'm very proud of that.

"I knew it [his talent] a long time when he was in go-kart. I think we made the right decision in the beginning of his career and now it's up to him what he does. I'm just very happy with how he does it and how strong he is, and the way he works for that."

Team principal Christian Horner echoed those sentiments, saying: "It's been by far the most dominant so it's come as no surprise but to see Max join some of the great names he spoke about earlier he's in that bracket now.

“The way he's driven this year has been out of this world and I think you have to take a moment to reflect and be in the moment and everything he's done this year is phenomenal.

"That's his make-up and I think he's the most competitive driver that I've ever met, the determination that he drives with, the passion, the heart, the commitment and of course, the abundance of skill that he has.

“He's up there with the very, very best, some of the greatest the sport has seen and I think this season has just surpassed anything we've seen."

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