Max Verstappen has it all to do as he attempts to win the Formula One world championship today.
Qualifying eighth for the Singapore Grand Prix, the Dutchman requires a big turnaround to pull off what will be one of F1’s most memorable title victories - even if it comes well before the end of the season.
An impressive championship lead over Charles Leclerc of 116 points has been built up by Verstappen with Sergio Perez and George Russell (125 and 132 points back, respectively) also technically in the mix with six races to go.
At the end of today’s race, there will be five more grand prix weekends left, accounting for 138 points with fastest laps and the sprint race in Brazil to figure into permutations as well.
Here are those permutations in full...
If Max Verstappen wins with the fastest lap - He will be champion if Charles Leclerc finishes eighth or lower, plus Sergio Perez finishes fourth or lower.
Leclerc could technically match Verstappen’s points from this result but he is destined to finish with fewer race wins in any case, meaning he would lose a tie.
If Max Verstappen wins without the fastest lap - He will be champion if Leclerc is ninth or lower and Perez finishes fourth without the fastest lap, or lower.
If Max Verstappen finishes second - The championship coronation goes to Japan, or beyond...
