‘He’s been on one other stage’ – Rivals fast to reward Verstappen as he makes it three F1 titles in a row

Max Verstappen made extra F1 historical past on the Lusail Worldwide Circuit on Saturday as his second-place end within the Dash race proved sufficient to substantiate him as the game’s world champion for the third successive season.

With the mud deciding on his newest achievement, we gathered the ideas of a number of rival drivers who had been fast to take their hats off to the Dutchman and Crimson Bull for the devastating tempo they’ve displayed for the reason that begin of the marketing campaign.

READ MORE: Verstappen secures third F1 world title as Piastri takes Dash victory in Qatar

Esteban Ocon, Alpine: “Congratulations to Max for the unimaginable season. What he’s completed and what he’s achieved over the 12 months has been unimaginable. I’m proud to share the observe with somebody that’s that good, and that’s tremendous spectacular, the increasingly you undergo the 12 months.”

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari: “I simply congratulate him [for what he’s achieved] because it’s very effectively deserved. I feel they did a tremendous season and so they deserve the championship.”

George Russell, Mercedes: “Large congratulations to him and Crimson Bull. From the outset Crimson Bull had been far superior to everyone after which Max has clearly simply been on one other stage lately. I can solely congratulate him.

READ MORE: Verstappen calls successful third title ‘a implausible feeling’ as he joins elite membership after Qatar Dash

“We’ve bought to look ourselves within the mirror and lift our sport to offer them some bother for subsequent 12 months. We need to be there within the battle and be placing them below a little bit of strain.”

Lando Norris, McLaren: “I’ve mentioned congrats to him. He deserves it. He’s completed a greater job than everybody all 12 months, and has completed for the final three years, so congrats to him.”

Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull: “I feel we’d all wish to be in Max’s place right now, however there can solely be one winner. He’s pushed loads higher than anybody else this season and he deserves all of the success. I’m completely satisfied for him, he labored actually exhausting for it, along with all of the group, and effectively completed to him.”

TREMAYNE: Verstappen can maintain his head excessive within the firm of his fellow three-time champion greats

With six rounds to go together with Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen has received 13 of the 16 races held thus far this season, whereas ending on the rostrum in all bar one.