Max Verstappen will hope to clinch his second successive Formula One world title at the Japanese Grand Prix today.
The Dutchman - who clinched pole position on Saturday - arrives in Suzuka boasting a 104-point lead over nearest rival Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ standings for 2022 after winning 11 of 17 races so far this season, with Sergio Perez a further two back after his impressive victory in Singapore last time out.
And with only five grands prix left on the slate this term, he will have serious ambitions of clinching more glory here after a weekend to forget on the Marina Bay street circuit, where he eventually came seventh after a key late error and problems in qualifying that led to him having to abort his final lap due to a fuel miscalculation from Red Bull.
Verstappen will be crowned champion again if he wins Sunday’s race and also claims the bonus point for setting the fastest lap in the process, with a 112-point buffer needed for the title to be his once more.
Here are those permutations for Japan in full...
If Max Verstappen wins with fastest lap bonus point - He will clinch the title, irrespective of the results from Leclerc and Perez.
If Max Verstappen wins without fastest lap - He will be champion if Leclerc finishes third or lower for Ferrari. Red Bull team-mate Perez’s result would not matter in this instance.
If Max Verstappen finishes second - He will become champion again if Leclerc finishes fifth or lower and Perez fourth or lower, with neither of that pair recording the fastest lap.
If Max Verstappen finishes second with fastest lap - He will be champion if Leclerc finishes fifth or lower and Perez crosses the line in fourth position or lower.
If Max Verstappen finishes third - He will be champion if Leclerc finishes seventh or lower and Perez finishes sixth or lower.
If Max Verstappen finishes third with fastest lap - He will be champion if Leclerc finishes sixth or lower and Perez finishes fifth or lower.
If Max Verstappen finishes fourth - He will be champion if Leclerc finishes eighth or lower and Perez finishes seventh or lower, both without clinching a bonus point.
If Max Verstappen finishes fourth with fastest lap - He will be champion if Leclerc finishes eighth or lower and Perez finishes seventh or lower.
If Max Verstappen finishes fifth - He will be champion if Leclerc finishes ninth or lower and Perez finishes eighth or lower, without either clocking the fastest lap.
If Max Verstappen finishes fifth with fastest lap - He will be champion if Leclerc finishes ninth or lower and Perez comes eighth or lower.
If Max Verstappen finishes sixth - He will be champion if Leclerc finishes outside the top 10 and Perez finishes ninth or lower without setting the fastest lap.
If Max Verstappen finishes sixth with fastest lap - He will be champion if Leclerc finishes 10th or lower and Perez finishes ninth or lower.
