When can Max Verstappen secure his fourth consecutive F1 title?
Max Verstappen's outstanding performance at the São Paulo Grand Prix has positioned him on the verge of securing a fourth consecutive Formula 1 title. His victory in Brazil has extended his lead to a remarkable 62 points over Lando Norris, with just three races remaining—a challenging triple-header across Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
With a maximum of 26 points available per Grand Prix—25 for victory and an additional point for the fastest lap—plus eight extra points at Qatar's sprint race, only 86 points remain in contention this season. The scenario in the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix is straightforward: if Verstappen finishes ahead of Norris, he will clinch the championship. His lead needs to be 60 points or more as the F1 circus leaves Nevada.
For Norris to maintain his championship hopes into the Qatar race, he must outscore Verstappen by at least three points in Las Vegas.
The Brazilian Grand Prix delivered Verstappen his eighth win of the season, ensuring he would take the first tiebreaker against Norris, who has only claimed victory three times this year. In Formula 1, a points deadlock is resolved by the number of Grand Prix wins.
Should the title race drag beyond Las Vegas, Verstappen would need just 24 more points across the remaining events to secure his crown. This effectively means finishing sixth in each of the remaining three races—excluding any sprint points from Qatar—would suffice for Verstappen.
Given his performance this season, the Dutchman has consistently placed within the top six, making the odds firmly in his favor. Should he face an unfortunate finish in Vegas or both Qatar races, Verstappen would still hold a lead over Norris heading into the Abu Dhabi finale.
Even in the unlikely event Norris triumphs in both Qatar races, including a sprint win and securing the fastest laps, he would remain two points behind Verstappen leading into the last race, underscoring the daunting task that lies ahead for the McLaren driver.
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