'No Emotion': Verstappen Not Moved By Chance Of Winning Third Championship On Saturday

Tuesday, 03 October 2023 at 12:00

Updated at Tuesday, 10 October 2023 at 21:49

Max Verstappen has a chance to win his third F1 World Drivers' Championship at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, but not in the usual way.

It doesn't happen too often that a driver would secure the championship on Saturday, almost never actually. That's why Verstappen's chance to do it in Saturday's sprint race at the Lusail International Circuit is so special.

However, when asked about it by media, as reported by Racingnews365, the Dutch driver didn't feel particularly emotional about having a chance to win the title on Saturday. In fact, Verstappen said that he knows it's coming, and it doesn't matter when it happens.

"No emotion. If it happens on Saturday, Sunday, or the week after, I know that it's coming. But it's not something that I'm thinking about too much. Maybe it's a good thing? A good night out. Might be a bit slower on the reaction time for the lights [on Sunday]."

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The 26-year-old also joked about a possible night out after his triumph resulting in a slow reaction time on Sunday, when the feature race starts.

Despite being on the verge of his third consecutive World Drivers' Championship, as the first Red Bull driver to do so since Sebastian Vettel did it in 2012 before adding his fourth in 2013, Verstappen stays really pragmatic.

The Dutch driver acknowledged that his team had a great year, and winning the title is only a cherry on top. That's why he tries not to overthink winning the title and takes it as it comes.

"But for me, I don't really think about it. We're just experiencing a really amazing year as a team. Also I don't care where I win it. It's not about 'You need to win it five races in advance' or the last one. I don't know. It's just not something that I'm really thinking about."