F1: Verstappen can, but unlikely to wrap up F1 title in Singapore

Although Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, George Russell and Carlos Sainz are all still mathematically in the title race, Verstappen’s lead at the top of the championship is now so big that it is a matter of when, and not if, he is crowned champion.

His 116-point lead over Leclerc in second place means that even if Leclerc took all of the 164 points left on offer at the final six races, Verstappen would only have to score 48 points in the same period of time to be crowned champion by the end of the season.

In order to be crowned champion in Singapore, Verstappen must extend his lead over his nearest rival to 138 points by the end of the race.

He currently has a 116 point lead over Leclerc, a 125 point lead over teammate Perez, a 132 point lead over Russell and a 148 point lead over Sainz. As a result, to win the title in Singapore he will need to outscore Leclerc by 22 points, Perez by 13 points, Russell by six points and lose no more than 10 points to Sainz.

Verstappen must win the race in Singapore (25 points) and gets fastest lap (1 point):
Leclerc finishing eighth or lower and
Perez finishing fourth or lower

There are some other permutations, but essentially, it will require some real bad luck befall Leclerc and Perez for Verstappen to lock up the title in Singapore.

It’s much more likely that Verstappen can lock up the title in Japan. Verstappen will be able to wrap up the title in Japan as long as he has a 112 point lead over his nearest rival at the end of the race…..a real possibility.