After Max Verstappen’s impressive race in the Brazil GP in Sao Paulo, the Dutchman has the 2024 F1 championship in the tip of his fingers. With the right result in Las Vegas, the Red Bull driver can claim his fourth title.
After giving a masterclass under the rain of Sao Paulo, Verstappen extended his lead in the drivers’ standings to 62 points over Lando Norris. The McLaren driver slipped from pole position to sixth place, giving Verstappen some air.
Verstappen can become champion if he finishes ahead of Norris in Las Vegas, which is scheduled for November 23. The Briton needs to outscore Verstappen by three points to keep his ambitions alive ahead of Qatar.
This means that if Norris is second or third, Verstappen will need to finish just one place below him and also record the fastest lap. Verstappen can also clinch his championship finishing just below Norris, if the Briton is fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth (without the fastest lap).
Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil (Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
However, if Norris ends up ninth, 10th or fails to score, the Dutchman also mathematically wins. If Verstappen fails to become champion in Las Vegas, his next chance will come up in Qatar, which is set for December 1st.
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Verstappen can join a select group of drivers with four championships
If Verstappen clinches the title, he will join Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel on four F1 drivers’ championships. The only drivers to have won more are Juan Manuel Fangio, with five, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, both with seven. The German also is the driver with most consecutive championships (five).
“From now, I just want clean races to the end. I’m not thinking about clinching the championship in Vegas or whatever. I just want clean races,” Verstappen replied when asked about potentially clinching the drivers’ title (via Motorsport.com).
How many races are left in the 2024 F1 championship?
- Las Vegas Grand Prix (Saturday, Nov. 23)
- Qatar Grand Prix (Sunday, December 1st)
- Abu Dhabi (Sunday, December 8th)
