Max Verstappen is poised to clinch his third consecutive F1 championship after a stunning display at the São Paulo Grand Prix, where he surged from 17th on the starting grid to claim the top spot. With just three races left in the 2024 season, he enjoys a commanding 62-point advantage over his nearest competitor, Lando Norris.
With three races (Las Vegas, Qatar, Abu Dhabi), 86 points can be earned over the season’s final three races. This maximum can be achieved if a driver secures victory in each of the three Grand Prix events, collecting 25 points per win, claims victory in the Sprint event in Qatar for an additional eight points, and also records the fastest lap in every race, netting one extra point each time.
How early can Max Verstappen clinch his 4th title?
Calculations reveal that Verstappen has the opportunity to clinch the drivers’ championship as soon as the Las Vegas Grand Prix. A win in Las Vegas would secure his title, creating a lead that cannot be overcome in the remaining two races, irrespective of Lando Norris’s finishing position.
In addition to securing victory, Verstappen can clinch the title if Norris falls short by at least three points in Las Vegas. Even in a scenario where Verstappen scores nothing, Norris would still need to place 8th or 9th and snag the fastest lap to maintain any hopes of claiming the championship.
What will it take for Norris to overcome Verstappen?
To keep his title hopes alive, Norris must consistently outscore Verstappen during each race weekend and capitalize on opportunities to chip away at the points difference. After a promising start in the São Paulo Sprint, where he reduced the gap to 44 points, Norris’s championship ambitions took a hit when Verstappen triumphed in the Grand Prix, leaving him with a 62-point deficit after finishing sixth.
Entering the Las Vegas race, Norris must make a decisive move; with 60 points still up for grabs after this event, he needs to outscore Verstappen by at least three points to remain in contention. A victory in Nevada would ensure that the battle for the championship remains alive, regardless of Verstappen’s performance or any bonus points he may earn.
Who holds the upper hand in a three-way battle in the constructor’s championship?
As the season approaches its climax, McLaren holds a 36-point advantage over Ferrari in the constructors’ standings, with a total of 147 points still up for grabs in the final three races. Meanwhile, Red Bull has narrowed the gap to Ferrari, sitting just 13 points behind the Scuderia.
All three teams remain in contention for the constructors’ title, but none can secure the championship in Las Vegas. Even if McLaren were to achieve maximum points (44), they could only extend their lead to a maximum of 80 points over Ferrari, assuming neither of the Prancing Horses drivers scores. This scenario would still leave 103 points available for the remaining races.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
