The Red Bull driver will have his second ‘match point’ for the title this coming Sunday at Suzuka, at Honda’s home
Max must finish the race with 6 points advantage over Leclerc and 8 over Checo Pérez in any possible position
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) finished seventh in Singapore and wasted his first ‘match point’ for the title, as any equation was to win the race. In Japan, at Honda’s home, next Sunday, October 9, the Dutch rider will have his second chance. And this time the accounts are much more propitious. Basically, Max needs to leave the Suzuka circuit with six points more than the second of the general, which is now charles leclerc (to 104), ahead of Sergio Perez (to 106).
the victory of Verstappen in Marina Bay it seemed difficult, considering that he has never won there and that Red Bull’s error in the time trial left him eighth on the grid. In Japan, a route much more favorable to Maxtheir prospects are much more optimistic.
The easiest way to be crowned for the second consecutive year – and with four races to go – would be to win and add the extra point for the fastest lap, which would give an eight-point advantage over second. From there the options multiply: victory and only third place of the other two, second and that Leclerc is not among the top four, or third with the fastest lap and that Charles is at most sixth. If Verstappen fails to win, he would have to wait for the results of Pérez and Leclerc, since he needs to lead his rivals by six and eight points respectively, so his minimum position must be sixth place.
With the quick turn point
1. If Max wins the race 2. If he is 3rd and Leclerc finishes 6th or worse and Pérez is 2nd or worse3. If it is 5th and Leclerc finishes 9th or worse and Pérez 3rd or worse4. If it is 6th and Leclerc finishes 10th or worse and Pérez 3rd or worseWithout the fastest lap point
1. If Max wins and Leclerc is 3rd or worse2. If it is 2nd and Leclerc is 5th without a fastest lap or worse and Pérez is 4th or worse 3. If it is 3rd and Leclerc finishes 7th or worse and Pérez 5th or worse 4. If it is 4th and Leclerc finishes 9th or worse and Pérez 3rd or worse5 . If he is 5th and Leclerc finishes 9th without a fastest lap or worse and Pérez is 3rd or worse6. If he is 6th and Leclerc does not score and Pérez is 4th or worse