Max Verstappen’s second world title was not sealed in Singapore, although it was already a difficult task beforehand, as it depended on the poor results of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez.
But, on the contrary, the results of these two drivers postponed the decision to Japan and it will not be very easy for the Dutchman to win his second title there either, the fault of a poor race result for him yesterday.
After Singapore, Verstappen tops the drivers’ standings with 341 points ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, 104 ahead of second-place Leclerc and 106 ahead of third-placed Perez. He needs to be 112 points clear following the Suzuka race to secure the title. So Verstappen must score at least eight points more than Leclerc and at least six points more than Perez at the Japanese GP
However, unlike this weekend, he will have the title entirely in his hands in Japan in one (only) scenario: if Max Verstappen wins with the fastest lap, he will be titledregardless of the outcome of Leclerc and Perez.
Indeed, if Leclerc finishes 2nd, just eight points behind Verstappen (with the fastest lap), the Red Bull driver would be certain to be crowned with four Grands Prix remaining to be contested, because the Dutchman will have more victories on the whole season.
If Verstappen wins without the fastest lap or finishes second or further, it will once more depend on the results of Leclerc and Perez. Here are the many possible scenarios:
If Verstappen wins without fastest lap point (i.e. 25 points), Leclerc will have to finish 3rd or further and Perez will have to finish 2nd or further.
If Verstappen finishes second with fastest lap point (i.e. 19 points), Leclerc will have to finish 5th or further and Perez will have to finish 4th or further.
If Verstappen finishes second without the fastest lap point (i.e. 18 points), Leclerc will have to finish 5th (without the fastest lap) or further and Perez will have to finish 4th (without the fastest lap) or further.
If Verstappen finishes third with fastest lap point (i.e. 16 points), Leclerc will have to finish 6th or further and Perez will have to finish 5th or further.
If Verstappen finishes third without the fastest lap point (i.e. 15 points), Leclerc will have to finish 7th or further and Perez will have to finish 6th or further.
If Verstappen finishes fourth with fastest lap point (i.e. 13 points), Leclerc will have to finish 8th or further and Perez will have to finish 7th or further.
If Verstappen finishes fourth without the fastest lap point (i.e. 12 points), Leclerc will have to finish 8th (without the fastest lap point) or further and Perez will have to finish 7th (without the fastest lap point) or further.
If Verstappen finishes fifth with fastest lap point (i.e. 11 points), Leclerc will have to finish 9th or further and Perez will have to finish 8th or further.
If Verstappen finishes fifth without the fastest lap point (i.e. 10 points) Leclerc will have to finish 9th (without the fastest lap point) or further and Perez will have to finish 8th (without the fastest lap point) or further.
If Verstappen finishes sixth with fastest lap point (i.e. 9 points), Leclerc will have to finish 10th or further and Perez will have to finish 9th or further.
If Verstappen finishes sixth without the fastest lap point (i.e. 8 points), Leclerc will have to finish out of the points and Perez will have to finish 9th (without the point for the fastest lap) or further.
If Verstappen finishes seventh or further or retireshe will not be titled, whatever the results of Leclerc and Perez.
In short, the virtual certainty of obtaining his 2nd title in Japan, on Honda land, was gone because of his chaotic race yesterday…
