Positive for Perez who finishes second in this unofficial championship

Anyone who thought Max Verstappen had won all the 2023 Formula One championships was wrong. There was another title to be won, albeit unofficially, and most probably, Verstappen would not be eager to pick up a prize for it, should there be one.

The last F1 sprint race of the season is over, and it will surprise no one: Verstappen has won the 'sprint championship' with conviction. The Red Bull Racing driver finished in first place with a whopping 45 points, where there was a maximum of 48 to be scored.

Verstappen didn't win the sprints in Baku and Qatar. Those wins went to Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri. Perez closes the sprint championship in second place behind his teammate, closely followed by Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. Behind them are Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc with both 21 points.

1 Max Verstappen 45

2 Sergio Perez 25

3 Carlos Sainz 22

4 Lando Norris 21

5 Charles Leclerc 21

6 George Russell 18

7 Lewis Hamilton 17

8 Oscar Piastri 15

9 Pierre Gasly 8

10 Fernando Alonso 8

11 Lance Stroll 6

12 Yuki Tsunoda 3

13 Nico Hulkenberg 3

14 Esteban Ocon 2

15 Alexander Albon 2