Motorsports
How Verstappen can win the Formula 1 title in Singapore
The next Formula One GP in Singapore (October 2) is Max Verstappen’s first match point of the year for his second consecutive World Championship – and we look at the scenarios that could happen in the Asian port.
With the Red Bull RB18 and the Dutchman himself dominating the last four GPs of the year, Verstappen has extended his lead at the top of the championship to 116 points over Ferrari’s Charles Lequer – and that with six races to go this season.
The first of these six is the Singapore GP on October 2nd. If the Dutchman achieves his sixth and this year his twelfth win in a row, the 24-year-old could mathematically secure this year’s title in a row.
Both Verstappen’s RBR counterpart Sergio Perez (-125 points) and Mercedes’ George Russell (-132 points) have mathematical – and only – hopes for the championship.
In each GP, victory is worth 25 points, fastest race lap is worth 1 point and victory in the sprint race is worth 8 points. There is only one of the three sprint races left this year, the Interlagos GP in Brazil.
Simply put and without much math, Verstappen will secure the championship at Marina Bay in Singapore if he wins 22 points more than Leclerc, 13 more than Perez and 6 more than Russell.
Consequently, to win the title, Verstappen must necessarily win in Singapore. But that’s not enough: Leclerc has to be in trouble and finish ninth or further down or drop out. At the same time, Perez must finish in 4th or lower without setting the fastest lap.
In that case, Verstappen will be 139 points clear of Leclerc, leaving a total of 138 points if one dominates by winning all five GPs, setting the five fastest laps and also winning the Interlago sprint race.
If Verstappen wins in Singapore and also sets the fastest lap then he has the luxury of being champion even if Leclerc finishes 8th or lower. Again, Perez should of course finish 4th or lower.
Consequently, the scenario of Verstappen securing this year’s championship in the next race, the Japanese GP, seems much more likely. To do this, the Dutchman must be 112 points ahead of the second-placed after the race in Suzuka.
And this will be a very fortunate time for Japan’s Honda and for its partnership with Red Bull Racing in supplying engines. Especially when combined with RBR’s winning the Constructors’ title at Sukuka – which, mathematically speaking, isn’t particularly likely to end up in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Source: sport 24
Hi, my name is Jayden James. I am a writer at Sportish, and I mostly cover sports news. I have been writing since high school and have been published in various magazines and newspapers. I also write book reviews for a website. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and basketball.