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Max Verstappen

How Verstappen can win the 2022 F1 World Championship in Japan

After clinching pole position in Saturday's qualifying, Max Verstappen's chances of claiming his second title at the Japanese Grand Prix look to have increased. But where exactly does he need to finish Sunday's race in order to become World Champion?

Verstappen Japan
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To news overview © Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Max Verstappen clocked the fastest time in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, further boosting his chances of claiming a second World Championship in Sunday's race.

However, this depends not only on where the Dutchman finishes, but also the end result for the two other drivers who – on paper – still have a mathematical chance of winning the title: Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez.

Verstappen sits at the top of the standings with 341 points, giving him a 104-point lead over Leclerc and a 106-point advantage over Perez. Leclerc will start the Grand Prix from second on the grid, while Perez lines up in fourth.

Should Verstappen win the race as well as claiming an additional point for the fastest lap, the championship will be his, regardless of where his competitors finish.

If the reigning World Champion takes victory without the fastest lap accolade, Leclerc would need to end the race in third or lower for Verstappen to still claim the title.

Ultimately, Verstappen needs to build a gap of 112 points to Leclerc and Perez in order to take the top prize.

Below are all of the ways in which the Red Bull driver can win the 2022 F1 World Championship at the Japanese Grand Prix.

How Verstappen can win the World Championship in Japan

Verstappen Leclerc Perez
P1 and fastest lap Verstappen wins championship Verstappen wins championship
P1 P3 or lower P2 or lower
P2 and fastest lap P5 or lower P4 or lower
P2 P5 without fastest lap / P6 or lower P4 without fastest lap / P5 or lower
P3 and fastest lap P6 or lower P5 or lower
P3 P7 or lower P6 or lower
P4 and fastest lap P8 or lower P7 or lower
P4 P8 without fastest lap / P9 or lower P7 without fastest lap / P8 or lower
P5 and fastest lap P9 or lower P8 or lower
P5 P9 without fastest lap / P10 or lower P8 without fastest lap / P9 or lower
P6 and fastest lap P10 without fastest lap / P11 or lower P9 or lower
P6 P11 or lower P9 without fastest lap / P10 or lower

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