Milestones in Verstappen's third title season

DOHA : Max Verstappen's third Formula One title season stands out for the Dutch driver's domination and record run of 10 wins in a row, but one of his rare defeats was also key to his future success.

The following details key moments on his journey to clinching the title in Qatar on Saturday.

BAHRAIN

Verstappen won the season-opening race from pole position, in a one-two finish with team mate Sergio Perez, and the scene was set.

It was the first of a record run of 14 wins in a row for Red Bull in a single season, a sequence of 15 in total when the 2022 season-ender in Abu Dhabi is included.

Bahrain was also the first time Verstappen had won a season-opening race and a marked turnaround from 2022 where he retired and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc won.

The victory ensured Verstappen maintained a lead in the championship dating back to the Spanish Grand Prix of May 2022 and that he has yet to relinquish. It will stand at 39 races by the end of this season.

AZERBAIJAN

A rare defeat to Perez, who also triumphed in the Saturday sprint, and a race Verstappen has since defined as key to his season.

The Red Bull pair departed Baku with two wins apiece and separated by just six points but Verstappen used the race to make some important discoveries about his car.

"I was trying a lot of different combinations on the wheel to just get a bit more of an understanding because it was still so early in the season and we were still not fully on top of things," he said.

"Towards the end of the race I found my rhythm, I found my preferred balance and it helped to just find a little bit more of an edge...It’s not like I suddenly turned the car upside down but its just little details can make the difference."

MIAMI

The May race started Verstappen's record run