2022 F1 Japanese GP – How to watch, session timings and more

Fresh from the Singapore GP, where Verstappen endured a messy race weekend to finish in seventh place, the Dutch driver has his second shot at wrapping up the F1 world drivers’ title.

While Suzuka always looked a more likely venue for the Red Bull driver to take the championship, which would also be a fitting location as Honda’s home race, Verstappen’s result in Singapore has made the title permutations a little trickier with both Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez still in the fight.

How can Verstappen win the 2022 F1 title at the Japanese GP?

Verstappen holds a 104-point lead over Leclerc at the top of the F1 standings with five races to go, while Red Bull team-mate Perez remains in contention 106 points off the Dutch driver after his victory in Singapore.

In short, Verstappen needs to be 112 points clear at the end of the Japanese GP to clinch the title with four races to spare.

Therefore, Verstappen must outscore Leclerc by eight points and Perez by six points to take the title in Japan. If a head-to-head is required, it will fall in Verstappen’s favour due to his 11 wins so far this year against Leclerc’s three and Perez’s two.

If Verstappen seals the crown in Japan, it would match the feat of winning the title with four races to spare achieved by Michael Schumacher in 2001 and 2004 and Sebastian Vettel in 2011.

George Russell, Mercedes W13

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

Here’s how Verstappen can seal the F1 world title at the Japanese GP:

If Verstappen wins with the fastest lap he is champion

If Verstappen wins without the fastest lap and Leclerc finishes third or lower, regardless of where Perez finishes

If Verstappen finishes second, Leclerc finishes fifth without the fastest lap or lower, Perez finishes fifth without the fastest lap or lower

If Verstappen finishes third with the fastest lap, Leclerc finishes sixth or lower and Perez finishes fifth or lower

If Verstappen finishes third without the fastest lap, Leclerc finishes seventh or lower and Perez finishes fifth or lower

If Verstappen finishes fourth, Leclerc finishes eighth without the fastest lap or lower or Perez finishes seventh without the fastest lap or lower

If Verstappen finishes fifth, Leclerc finishes ninth without the fastest lap or lower and Perez finishes eighth without the fastest lap or lower

If Verstappen finishes sixth, Leclerc finishes 11th or lower and…