Just In:If Max Verstappen clinches the title this season, he’ll be achieving something rare in F1:

In the world of Formula 1, a sport steeped in history and teeming with legendary drivers, a driver who clinches multiple championships in a short span of time is often viewed through the lens of greatness. Max Verstappen, the Dutch prodigy, has been steadily asserting his dominance over the grid since his meteoric rise to F1 stardom. If he clinches his third consecutive World Drivers’ Championship title this season, he will join a rarefied club of elite drivers in Formula 1 history and solidify his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

The Road to Dominance: Verstappen’s Career So Far

Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 journey began in 2015 when he made a historic debut with the Red Bull Racing team at just 17 years old, becoming the youngest driver in F1 history. Verstappen’s breakthrough moment came in 2016, when, in just his first race with Red Bull, he won the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest winner of a Formula 1 race at 18 years old. From that moment on, it was clear that Verstappen was a prodigious talent with a unique combination of speed, racecraft, and fearlessness.

Verstappen’s talent quickly turned heads, and by 2018, he had emerged as one of the top drivers in the sport. However, it wasn’t until 2021 that Verstappen truly began to exhibit the kind of sustained, championship-contending form that would establish him as a potential future world champion. That year, Verstappen engaged in a thrilling, at times controversial, title battle with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, which culminated in a dramatic finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen clinched his first championship under the most intense of circumstances, and his win marked the beginning of a new era for both him and the sport.

But it was 2022 that truly demonstrated Verstappen’s potential to dominate in F1. In an unprecedented season, Verstappen won a record-breaking 15 races and secured his second World Drivers’ Championship title with four races to spare. His exceptional performance, combined with Red Bull’s technical excellence, marked the start of what many believe could be a sustained period of dominance. As Verstappen enters the 2024 season with the same intent, it is becoming increasingly likely that he will clinch his third consecutive title, something that would place him in a very rare company of drivers in Formula 1 history.

The Rare Achievement of Three Consecutive Titles

Winning back-to-back titles in Formula 1 is already an incredibly difficult feat, with only a few drivers in the sport’s history managing to do so. The list of drivers who have clinched at least two consecutive titles includes legends such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Alberto Ascari, Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, Niki Lauda, Michael Schumacher, and Sebastian Vettel. However, winning three titles in a row, let alone achieving it in the modern, highly competitive era of F1, is a truly rare accomplishment.

Should Verstappen secure his third consecutive World Drivers’ Championship in 2024, he will join an exclusive club of drivers who have achieved this feat. Only a handful of drivers have been able to achieve such sustained dominance across multiple seasons. The list of drivers who have won three consecutive titles includes:

Juan Manuel Fangio – 1954, 1955, 1956 (Mercedes, Ferrari)

Alberto Ascari – 1952, 1953 (Ferrari)

Michael Schumacher – 2000, 2001, 2002 (Ferrari)

Sebastian Vettel – 2011, 2012, 2013 (Red Bull Racing)

For Verstappen, achieving this milestone would be a remarkable testament to his abilities and the synergy between him and Red Bull Racing. While the sport has become more competitive in recent years, with the rise of teams like Mercedes and Ferrari, Verstappen has demonstrated an uncanny ability to outpace his rivals and extract maximum performance from his car, season after season.

The Key Factors Behind Verstappen’s Success

Several key factors have contributed to Max Verstappen’s incredible success in recent years. These elements, when combined, explain how he has been able to outperform his rivals and dominate the championship standings.

Red Bull’s Technical Superiority: One of the most crucial components of Verstappen’s success has been the technical excellence of the Red Bull Racing team. Red Bull’s partnership with Honda (and now, the team’s own power units) has been instrumental in providing Verstappen with a car capable of competing at the highest level. In 2023, Red Bull was able to create a car that was both fast and consistent across a variety of track conditions, something that has been key to Verstappen’s success.

Verstappen’s Driving Talent: Verstappen has always been regarded as an exceptional driver with incredible natural talent. His racecraft, aggressive overtakes, and ability to handle pressure make him one of the best on the grid.