the scenarios for Max Verstappen to be crowned world champion in Qatar

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The Red Bull driver is in an ideal position to win a third consecutive world title, Saturday or Sunday.

France Télévisions – Sports Editorial

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Max Verstappen celebrates his second world champion title at Suzuka, October 9, 2022. (AFP)

In theory, this is just a formality. Max Verstappen touches his third Formula 1 world championship title, the third in a row, most likely from the weekend of October 7 and 8 in Qatar, on the Losail circuit.

The Dutchman goes it alone in the drivers’ standings, with 177 points ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez, the final obstacle. There are only 180 points left to take at most until the end of the season. What is “SuperMax” missing to be crowned this weekend? Very little actually. Here are the different scenarios.

Max Verstappen crowned in the sprint race if…

The double title holder could make history when he signs the treble. Max Verstappen could be the first driver to validate his rank in a sprint race on Saturday, with a format introduced during the 2021 season which brings eight points to the winner, seven to the second… The Red Bull driver will be champion if:

  • He finished in the top six in the sprint race
  • He finished seventh in the sprint race and Sergio Pérez did not win
  • He finished eighth in the sprint race and Sergio Pérez did not finish in one of the first two places.
  • He does not score any points, but Sergio Pérez does not finish on the podium

Max Verstappen crowned in the race on Sunday if…

  • He is at least 146 points ahead of Sergio Pérez at the end of the weekend in Qatar

At the end of the Qatari weekend, a driver will only be able to score 146 points until the end of the season, by winning the two remaining sprint races (United States and Brazil), as well as the five Grands Prix. (United States, Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi) also winning the fastest lap in the race each time. If the gap between the Dutchman and the Mexican is equal to or greater than 146 points on Sunday evening, Max Verstappen will already be assured of winning a third world crown.

To avoid such a scenario, Sergio Pérez must therefore take more than 31 points from his teammate during the weekend in Qatar, knowing that victory in the Grand Prix earns 25 points, plus one point if he achieves the best lap in the race. .


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