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Formula 1 Title Watch: How Verstappen Can Clinch Championship in Las Vegas

Max Verstappen’s masterful drive from back to front at the São Paulo Grand Prix has put him within touching distance of his fourth consecutive Formula 1 world championship. The Dutch driver’s first victory since June has effectively silenced doubts about Red Bull’s recent form slump and set the stage for a potential title clincher in Las Vegas.

Championship Scenario

With just three races remaining in the 2023 season, Verstappen holds a commanding 62-point lead over his closest rival, McLaren’s Lando Norris. The mathematics are now straightforward: Verstappen can secure the title in Las Vegas if he maintains a 60-point advantage after the race, with only 86 points still available across the final three events.

Path to Victory

The simplest route to the championship for Verstappen is to finish ahead of Norris in any position at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Even if both drivers fail to score points, the championship would still go to Verstappen. The Red Bull driver’s position is so strong that he could even afford to finish behind Norris and still clinch the title, provided the points gap doesn’t shrink by more than two points.

Norris’s Last Stand

For Norris to keep his championship hopes alive, he must outscore Verstappen by at least three points in Las Vegas. This could be achieved through various scenarios, including:

Winning the race outright

Finishing second while Verstappen places third without the fastest lap

Securing third place while Verstappen finishes fourth without the fastest lap

The Bigger Picture

The battle has now officially become a two-horse race, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc mathematically eliminated despite sitting third in the standings. Verstappen’s eight wins to Norris’s three this season mean he would win any potential end-of-season points tie, further strengthening his position.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for November 24, could well be the stage for Verstappen to add another chapter to his growing legacy in Formula 1. As the circus heads to the neon-lit streets of Vegas, all eyes will be on whether Verstappen can convert his commanding position into championship glory, or if Norris can keep the title fight alive for at least one more round.

Photo by REUTERS/Carla Carniel

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