November 4th 2024.
Max Verstappen has been dominating the Formula 1 scene for the past three years, securing the title of F1 drivers' champion each time. His latest victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix has put him in a favorable position to win his fourth consecutive title, with only one race left to go. He now sits 62 points ahead of his closest rival, Lando Norris, whose unfortunate sixth-place finish in Brazil has widened the gap between them.
Verstappen's early season success, with seven wins out of ten races, had made his victory seem inevitable. However, McLaren's improved performance has given Norris a glimmer of hope to pull off a remarkable comeback and make F1 history. But with the next race being held in Las Vegas, Verstappen has a firm grip on the championship and could potentially clinch the title there.
Now, let's take a closer look at the different scenarios that could lead to Verstappen's victory. With just three races left in the 2024 season, including Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, there are a total of 86 points up for grabs. However, if Verstappen maintains a 60-point lead over Norris after the Las Vegas race, he will be declared the champion. This means that Norris must finish ahead of Verstappen in the next race to keep the championship race alive.
On the other hand, if Norris fails to outscore Verstappen by three points or more, the title will go to the Dutchman. Even if they end up with the same number of points at the end of the season, Verstappen will still come out on top due to his higher number of race wins.
It's worth noting that in F1, points are awarded based on the following system: 25 points for first place, 18 points for second, 15 points for third, and so on. The driver who sets the fastest lap of the race while finishing in the top 10 also receives an additional point.
Now, let's shift our focus to Norris and what he needs to do to win the championship. On average, he must outscore Verstappen by 21 points in each of the remaining rounds to have a chance at the title. This is no easy feat, and he will need to deliver exceptional performances to close the gap.
To keep the championship race going into the next round in Qatar, Norris must outscore Verstappen by at least three points in Las Vegas. Winning the race would secure his chances of staying in the fight for the title. However, even if Norris manages to win all the remaining races, he will still need Verstappen and Red Bull to slip up and lose a significant number of points.
While the drivers' championship may be the main focus, the constructors' championship is also a crucial aspect of F1. It not only adds to the team's prestige but also has financial implications. Surprisingly, despite Verstappen's impressive performances, it is McLaren, not Red Bull, who are in pole position to win the constructors' title. This is partly due to Sergio Perez's lackluster performances, scoring less than half the points of his teammate.
Currently, McLaren leads with 593 points, followed by Ferrari with 557 points and Red Bull with 544 points. With 147 points still up for grabs, there is still a chance for any of these teams to come out on top. The consistent performances of Norris and his teammate, Oscar Piastri, have put McLaren in a favorable position to win their first constructors' title since 1998. However, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are also determined to end their team's 16-year wait for a championship.
For those wondering, the Las Vegas Grand Prix will take place on the weekend of November 22-24. Interestingly, the race will be held on a Saturday night, catering to both local and global audiences in different time zones. In the UK, the race will start at 6 am on Sunday, November 24. With the title race heating up, F1 fans around the world cannot wait to see who will come out on top in this thrilling season.
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