At this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has a second chance to win his second Formula One title with a few races to spare.
His first chance in Singapore went horribly wrong after mistakes by the driver and his Red Bull team in both qualifying and the race left him with longer odds of winning the 2022 championship on Honda’s home turf than initially appeared.
If he had won in Singapore, he would have only needed to finish on the podium at Suzuka if either of the other two drivers in contention, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez, won in Japan.
However, because Verstappen finished seventh in Singapore while Perez and Leclerc finished first and second, things will be more difficult for him this weekend, as he must finish ahead of Leclerc and Perez to win the title. Also Read | Lance Stroll: Formula 1, Age, Height, Girlfriend, Wins, Social Media and More
After the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, there will be 112 points on the table, with Verstappen currently leading Leclerc by 104 points and Perez by 106. Verstappen could win the Japanese GP and take the fastest lap point, increasing his lead over Leclerc to 112.
That means that even if Leclerc wins all four remaining grands prix, the Interlagos sprint race, and the four fastest lap bonus points after Suzuka, he will lose the championship on countback to Verstappen. Verstappen’s victory at Suzuka will be insufficient if Leclerc finishes second. This doesn’t apply to Perez, who can’t afford to lose more than five points to his teammate if he wants to stay in the race.
Whether Verstappen wins or comes in second. He must finish ahead of both Leclerc and Perez, which he is unlikely to do if he finishes lower than second. So, here’s a quick rundown of the various ways Verstappen can win the title.
