How can Max Verstappen be crowned champion in Las Vegas?
With three Grand Prix to go, Max Versatppen has a slight lead over his main rival, Lando Norris. There are several possible scenarios in which he could be crowned world champion in Las Vegas on Sunday.
After his victory in Brazil, Max Verstappen leads Lando Norris by 62 points. Four scenarios are possible for the Dutchman to clinch a 4th consecutive title and thus enter the history of his sport.
Several possible scenarios
A victory. If Max Verstappen wins the Grand Prix, he would then accumulate 418 points, compared to a maximum of 349 for Lando Norris (Assuming he finishes 2nd) and would thus secure the title.
Norris wins. Even a victory for a Briton would not succeed in dampening the championship hopes of the Red Bull driver. In the event that Norris wins the race, Verstappen would need a 3rd place finish and the fastest lap point to be crowned.
He just needs to finish ahead of the Briton, regardless of their positions. As long as Max Verstappen finishes ahead of Lando Norris in the final race standings, he will achieve his goal. No matter if they are 3rd and 4th, or 10th and 11th: being ahead is enough. Max can even settle for finishing 6th if Lando does not do better than 5th, 7th if Lando finishes 6th, and so on.
If Lando Norris finishes in a lower position in the ranking, Max Verstappen does not need to finish as high. For example, if Norris is 5th, Verstappen can be 6th. If Norris is 6th, Verstappen can be 7th. Each time, Verstappen can afford to finish one place behind Norris, as long as he remains in this logic. Finally, of course, if Norris finishes outside the points, Max Verstappen will secure the world champion title on Sunday evening.
If he wins a fourth title, Verstappen would join Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel in the very exclusive circle of those who have been world champions four times. An even more exclusive circle, only three drivers have so far managed to win the title four years in a row: Juan Manuel Fangio (five titles), Michael Schumacher (seven titles), and Lewis Hamilton (seven titles).
