How Verstappen can win the F1 title in the Japanese GP · RaceFans

Max Verstappen has another chance to clinch the 2022 world championship in this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver’s winning streak ended in Singapore where he finished seventh. His closest championship rivals Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez filled the top two positions, trimming Verstappen’s points lead.

But with 104 points in hand over Leclerc and another two over Perez, Verstappen’s chances of taking the title in Japan are much stronger. If he leaves Suzuka with a 112-point lead he’ll get the job done.

Here’s how he can do it.

Full points race

The simple situation for Verstappen this weekend is that if the race goes the distance and he wins and sets the fastest lap, he will be the champion regardless of where anyone else finishes. But if he doesn’t do both those things, the title fight could remain open.

For example if Verstappen wins but doesn’t take the fastest lap, Leclerc can keep the championship alive by finishing second, even if the Ferrari driver doesn’t get the fastest lap bonus.

Verstappen could claim the championship by finishing as low as sixth. Here is where he needs his rivals to finish in order to win the championship in each of those scenarios:

Verstappen wins and takes fastest lap – Rivals’ finishing positions do not matter
Verstappen wins without fastest lap – Leclerc third or lower, Perez second or lower

Verstappen second with fastest lap – Leclerc fifth or lower, Perez fourth or lower
Verstappen second without fastest lap – Leclerc fifth or lower without fastest lap or sixth or lower with fastest lap, Perez fourth or lower with fastest lap or fifth or lower with fastest lap

Verstappen third with fastest lap – Leclerc sixth or lower, Perez fifth or lower
Verstappen third without fastest lap – Leclerc seventh or lower, Perez sixth or lower

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Verstappen fourth with fastest lap – Leclerc eighth or lower, Perez seventh or lower
Verstappen fourth without fastest lap – Leclerc eighth or lower without fastest lap or ninth or lower with fastest lap, Perez seventh or lower without fastest lap or eighth or lower with fastest lap

Verstappen fifth with fastest lap – Leclerc ninth or lower, Perez eighth or lower
Verstappen fifth without fastest lap – Leclerc ninth or lower without fastest lap or tenth or lower with fastest lap, Perez eighth or lower without fastest lap or ninth or lower with fastest lap

Verstappen…