Formula 1: Max Verstappen clinching in Singapore won’t be easy

While much has been made about the possibility of Max Verstappen becoming a two-time Formula 1 world champion in Singapore, it’s highly unlikely.

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has a chance to clinch his second title in this Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit.

This 61-lap race around the 23-turn, 3.146-mile (5.063-kilometer) temporary street circuit in Marina Bay, Singapore is the 17th of 22 races on the 2022 schedule, and it is the first race in which the Red Bull driver has been able to clinch the title.

But Verstappen clinching the title in this race isn’t all that likely, considering what all needs to happen.

Heading into this race, there are still 164 points on the table for each driver throughout the rest of the year.

Race wins pay 25 points, and the driver who runs the fastest lap scores an additional point. There is also one more sprint qualifying race on the schedule, and the winner of that race scores eight points.

Once Sunday’s race ends, there will be a maximum of 138 points left on the table. Verstappen currently owns a 116-point lead over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the driver standings.

There are three other drivers still eligible to win the title: Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, who trails Verstappen by 125, Mercedes’ George Russell, who trails Verstappen by 132, and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. who trails Verstappen by 148.

Notably, Verstappen has already clinched the tiebreaker over everybody else, since he owns 11 victories this year. No other driver has more than three, and there are just six races remaining on the schedule. So Verstappen needs to be 138 points, not 139, ahead of second place to clinch by the end of the weekend.

This means that the 25-year-old Dutchman needs to outscore Leclerc by 22 points, Perez by 13, and Russell by six, and he needs to avoid being outscored by Sainz by 11.

Since Verstappen can’t even score 22 points without winning (winning pays 25 points, second place pays 18), he needs to win to have a chance to clinch the title, and if he does that, that will automatically eliminate Russell and Sainz.

If Verstappen wins and records the race’s fastest lap, he will score 26 points, meaning that Leclerc will be eliminated if he finishes in eighth place (four points) or lower and Perez will be eliminated if he finishes in fourth (12 points) or lower.

If Verstappen wins and doesn’t record the race’s fastest lap, he will score 25 points, meaning that Leclerc will be eliminated if he finishes in ninth place (two points, three with fastest lap) or lower and Perez will be eliminated if he finishes in fourth (12 points without fastest lap) or lower. If Perez runs the fastest lap, he will still be eliminated if he finishes in fifth (11 points) or lower.

While unlikely, it’s not out of the question. Verstappen has reeled off a career-high five victories, and he has run the fastest lap in two of the last three races. Leclerc also has three retirements this year, and Perez has just one finish higher than fourth place in the last six races.

If he doesn’t do it this weekend, however, it is still seen as only a matter of time before he does. In fact, Verstappen has been removed from the world championship odds because his lead is so huge. You can bet on “Drivers Championship 2022 – w/o Max Verstappen – Winner” at WynnBET.

The Singapore Grand Prix is set to be broadcast live on ESPN from Marina Bay Street Circuit beginning at 7:55 a.m. ET this Sunday, October 2. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss it!