How Max Verstappen can win the F1 title in Saudi Arabia

Max Verstappen

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How Verstappen can win the F1 title in Saudi Arabia

Verstappen leads by eight points and can win his first title in Jeddah

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 1 December 2021 10:35

We have finally reached that point in the season where one of the two F1 title protagonists can win the championship if results go their way.

With two races of the campaign remaining, a Middle East double-header in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is in that position.

Verstappen holds an eight-point lead which means even if were to finish third and claimed the fastest-lap point and Lewis Hamilton failed to finish in Jeddah, the battle would still carry over into the final race.

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Taking that into consideration, Verstappen has to finish in the top two to potentially have a chance of wrapping up his first title.

Here are the scenarios.

1. Verstappen wins with fastest lap

Mercedes driver Hamilton would have to finish a minimum of fifth to ensure he still had the slimmest of chances in Abu Dhabi as he would be 24 points adrift.

A sixth-place finish would see Hamilton 26 points down but even if he were to win the last race and claim the fastest point, and Verstappen failed to score, they would be tied on points and the Dutchman would be champion on countback.

2. Verstappen wins without fastest lap

On this occasion, Hamilton could afford a sixth-place finish as that would leave him 25 points back but he would require victory and fastest-lap point in Abu Dhabi, and Verstappen not scoring, to claim a record-breaking eighth crown by one point.

3. Verstappen second with fastest lap

Hamilton would need to finish at least ninth, which would leave him 25 points behind. Tenth would not be good enough as he would be 26 shy, and the scenario raised in point one applies.

4. Verstappen second without fastest lap

Tenth place here is good enough from Hamilton to push the title race to the wire but again facing the situation where he would have to win with fastest lap and Verstappen failing to score in Abu Dhabi to take the title.