What Max Verstappen needs to do to win the Formula 1 title at Japanese Grand Prix

While wrapping up the 2022 Formula 1 title in Singapore was always going to be tough, Max Verstappen has a much better chance of sealing the deal in Japan.

The Dutchman is within touching distance of his second championship going into this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, which gets underway on Sunday 9th October at 6am BST.

As it stands, Verstappen is 104 points clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and 106 points ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.

So what exactly needs to happen for Verstappen to win the title? Metro Sport takes a look at the various permutations:

In simplest terms, Verstappen must outscore Leclerc by eight points and Perez by six points in Suzuka.

Should he fail to finish in the top six or is beaten by either of his rivals, the title race will roll on to the next round in the USA.

If he is able to claim the maximum 26 points available, from winning and getting the fastest lap bonus point, the championship is his no matter what happens with Leclerc or Perez.

A win on its own would also be enough providing Leclerc does not finish second.

Thanks to the bonus point rule, there are many different scenarios that could play out and many different ways Verstappen can take the title without winning the race.

The odds are certainly in the Dutchman’s favour but anything could happen, so here are the other key scenarios that could deny him:

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