Max Verstappen gets his second chance of winning the Formula 1 world championship this weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Dutchman has been in phenomenal form this season and very much has the title in his hands with several races still to go, with him possessing a lead of over 100 points to his nearest rivals in the championship.

He could, of course, have won the title last time out in Singapore but found himself starting the race from P8 after Red Bull pulled him in from a flying lap to make sure he had enough fuel to provide a sample to the FIA, and that left him set up for what was a scrappy race with him only finishing seventh.

No matter, though, given the lead he still has in the championship and these are the permutations heading into the weekend to be aware of that could lead Max to taking the title:

  • If Max wins Charles Leclerc must finish second to keep the championship alive, and Sergio Perez would be out of contention. If Max wins with the fastest lap, then he will take the crown regardless of where Charles finishes.
  • If Leclerc or Perez finish above him in Japan, he will not win the world title this weekend.
  • If he finishes outside the top six this weekend Verstappen will not win the title.
  • If Verstappen does not win the race, he needs to score at least eight more points than Leclerc and six more points than Perez to win the title.
ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 03: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 03, 2022 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 03: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 03, 2022 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

It's going to be fascinating watching it all play out, and Verstappen will be eager for a much easier weekend than the one he has just had in Singapore.


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