F1 standings: Max Verstappen closing in on championship three-peat

After getting back to the top of the podium in Japan, two-time defending F1 world drivers' champion Max Verstappen holds a 177-point lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez with six of 23 rounds remaining.

That staggering lead means Verstappen might not even have to wait until the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday, Oct. 8, as he can mathematically clinch the championship during the event's Sprint the Saturday prior. With 180 points available in the remaining six grand prix weekends, Verstappen just needs to score three points to wrap up the title, something he can do by finishing sixth in the Sprint.

Verstappen clinched last year’s title at the Japanese Grand Prix on Oct. 9, 2022, with four rounds remaining and won the 2021 title in thrilling fashion with a last-race, last-lap pass of Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

2023 F1 drivers' standings

1. Max Verstappen (1), Red Bull-Honda RBPT – 400 2. Sergio Perez (11), Red Bull-Honda RBPT – 223 3. Lewis Hamilton (44), Mercedes – 190 4. Fernando Alonso (14), Aston Martin-Mercedes – 174 5. Carlos Sainz (55), Ferrari – 150 6. Charles Leclerc (16), Ferrari – 135 7. Lando Norris (4), McLaren-Mercedes – 115 8. George Russell (63), Mercedes – 115 9. Oscar Piastri (81), McLaren-Mercedes – 57 10. Lance Stroll (18), Aston Martin-Mercedes – 4711. Pierre Gasly (10), Alpine-Renault – 46 12. Esteban Ocon (31), Alpine-Renault – 38 13. Alexander Albon (23), Williams-Mercedes – 21 14. Nico Hülkenberg, (27), Haas-Ferrari – 9 15. Valtteri Bottas (77), Alfa Romeo-Ferrari – 6 16. Zhou Guanyu (24), Alfa Romeo-Ferrari – 4 17. Yuki Tsunoda (22), AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT – 3 18. Kevin Magnussen (20), Haas-Ferrari – 3 19. Liam Lawson (40), AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT – 2 20. Logan Sargeant (2), Williams-Mercedes – 021. Nyck De Vries (21), AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT – 0 22. Daniel Ricciardo (3), AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT – 0

Remaining 2023 F1 schedule

Qatar Grand PrixLusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar October 8, 1 p.m. ET

United States Grand PrixCircuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas October 22, 3 p.m. ET

Mexico City Grand PrixAutdoromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City October 29, 4 p.m. ET

Sao Paulo Grand PrixJosé Carlos Pace Autodrome, São Paulo November 5, noon ET

Las Vegas Grand PrixLas Vegas Strip Street Circuit, Las Vegas November 19, 1 a.m. ET

Abu Dhabi Grand PrixYas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates November 26, 8 a.m. ET