Max Verstappen says there'll be no change in tactics or approach from him behind the wheel now that he is on verge of winning a second world title.

The Dutchman gets his first shot of becoming a double world champion this weekend in Singapore after what has ended up being a dominant year.

When he was nearly 50 points behind Charles Leclerc after three rounds he'll have been thinking that defending the crown was going to prove far more difficult than it has done, but that is ultimately how Formula 1 can go sometimes.

READ MORE: WE CHAT EXCLUSIVELY TO ALEX ALBON


Max Verstappen's warning over complacency

Max Verstappen driving in Monza

MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 09: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 09, 2022 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Indeed, whilst Ferrari have tripped over and stumbled along at times this year, Max has been running on rails for much of the campaign, with him winning the last five races in a row and looking pretty untouchable at times.

He's now got the ability to finish behind Charles Leclerc at each of the remaining races and still take the title with ease but you won't catch him taking his foot off of the throttle, with him warning anything can still happen before it is mathematically safe, and that just a slight drop in commitment or concentration could cost him and the team dear.

"It would be wrong to relax," said the Dutchman.

"So many things can go wrong, but also go right. Our intention is that we want to win more races - that's how we will approach the remaining races.

[We must] be consistent and we don't want to retire. We had our little issues in the beginning of the season, but, we'll see how competitive we're going to be.

"We want to win more races. We're not here to say: 'Oh, we can only finish second or third, like that's okay. We don't work like that. I think we always want the best and we want to win.

"We don't want to give wins to other teams just for being safe. Of course, we know we also have to finish the races first of all without any issues. If you start thinking like that, maybe mistakes can creep in as well.

"I think it's just silly to even talk about it right now. There's still so many risks left, you just want to focus."

READ MORE: WE CHAT EXCLUSIVELY TO YUKI TSUNODA


Singapore Grand Prix title permutations

Max Verstappen celebrates winning in Italy

MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 11: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 11, 2022 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

To win the championship next time out, Max must win the race and then hope those behind him in the standings have poor results in Singapore.

If he wins without setting the fastest lap and picking up the related bonus point, Charles Leclerc must finish ninth or lower for Max to win the title, with Sergio Perez fourth or lower without taking the fastest lap or fifth or lower with the fastest lap.

If Max wins the race and takes the fastest lap himself, though, then Leclerc must finish eighth or lower with Perez fourth or lower for the title to head the Dutchman's way.


You can keep up to date with all the latest F1 news, rumours and results right here at Give Me Sport.