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Max Verstappen is a force of nature – and so is Ash Sutton

Max Verstappen is a three-time Formula 1 world champion. And (whisper it), he was only born in 1997… Right, now that we’re all feeling old, let’s appreciate what a sensational talent he is, and what his and Red Bull’s achievement represents.

It’s 10 years since the excited chatter about the son of Jos Verstappen’s impending first steps from a glittering karting career into cars. Scarcely has there been so much hype around a driver at that stage of their career, and never has it been more justified. You know the story – mega (if not title-winning) F3 season, signed at 16 for F1, impressive rookie campaign, fairytale first-time-out victory with Red Bull… and now this. Many of us who feel old would prefer title number three to have been clinched on a Sunday at Watkins Glen rather than in the Qatari desert on a Saturday, before a tyre-regulated ‘victory parade’ in the GP itself. But those tyre dramas threw up their own quirks to the weekend, which included a sensational performance – and maiden F1 victory in the sprint race – for McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Alex Kalinauckas brings you the lowdown on p18.

One year after Verstappen’s F1 debut, Ash Sutton took his first steps in the British Touring Car Championship. And, like the Dutchman, he has since become a force of nature in his own particular arena. Last weekend at Brands Hatch he drove his Alliance Racing Ford Focus to his record-equalling fourth crown, and achieved something rather special in the process. You can read all about that on p34.

Marcus Simmons Deputy Editor Marcus.Simmons@autosport.com

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PIT & PADDOCK 4 It’s over: Marquez splits from Honda 6 Pirelli gains extra three years on F1 tyres 8 McLaren targets Le Mans with United 10 Maloney returns to F3 for Macau GP 11 Top five Maserati MC12 drivers 13 Opinion: Alex Kalinauckas 15 Opinion: Gary Watkins 17 Opinion: Lewis Duncan

RACE CENTRE 18 Qatar GP report and analysis 34 Sutton claims his fourth BTCC crown 42 Van Gisbergen wins Bathurst farewell 46 World of Sport: NASCAR Cup; WRX;

Intercontinental GT Challenge

FEATURE 48 IMSA: grand battle for Petit showdown

CLUB AUTOSPORT 61 Factory aces to join British GT grid 62 Aerospace engineer’s Group C build bid 64 BRC plans major revamp for 2024 66 Opinion: Stephen Lickorish 67 National reports: Silverstone National;

Brands Hatch; Silverstone International; Snetterton; Knockhill; Pembrey; Castle Combe; Oulton Park

FINISHING STRAIGHT 78 What’s on this week 80 From the archive: 2002 Australian GP 82 My favourite car: Jake Hill

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12 OCTOBER 2023 AUTOSPORT.COM 3