Debate | Verstappen will in second F1 title in Japan at the lastest

28 August 2022 at 21:55

GPblog.com

Max Verstappen headed to the Belgian Grand Prix with the idea of retaining as much of his world championship lead over Charles Leclerc as possible. The Red Bull Racing driver would receive a grid penalty and in such a weekend that often means limiting the damage. After Sunday's session, Verstappen found himself even ahead in the World Championship. And not by much.

Verstappen was fortunate, of course, that many other drivers, including his main title rival Charles Leclerc, were changing many engine parts and they too were given a grid penalty. In the end, Verstappen did not have to start from last position at Spa-Francorchamps but instead ended up in 14th on the grid. Anyway, according to Helmut Marko, his Dutch pupil had won from P20.

Red Bull are really fast

The RB18 was so dominant that Verstappen led the race after just 18 laps. Even in the twistier second sector where more downforce is required, the 24-year-old from Limburg was tenths ahead of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. It frightens Ferrari, who again expect a very competitive Red Bull at Zandvoort this weekend. The gap will not be as big as this weekend, but Red Bull will undoubtedly be there again.

The following week the Formula One circus travels to Monza, a track with hardly any corners and many long straights. Verstappen and Perez should be the favourites there on paper. On 2 and 9 October, respectively, Singapore and Japan will be held and when these weekends are over, there will be only four GPs left on the calendar.

Huge lead for Verstappen

And how much is the lead of Verstappen on Leclerc now in the World Championship? Right, 98 points. That means that with a lead of 112 points or more, the singular world champion is assured of his second world title in Formula 1. Certainly not out of the question. Verstappen will have to increase his lead, but that is not impossible in this form and with this RB18. Ferrari will have to make some serious moves to match or exceed the speed of the RB18. At least, that mission seems very difficult based on this weekend.

Of course Sergio Perez is now second in the World Championship and a little less behind Verstappen than Leclerc (93 points), but it is clear that Red Bull is doing everything it can to lead Verstappen to a second title. What do you think of the statement: Verstappen will take his second world title no later than the Japanese Grand Prix. At that moment the lead of Verstappen has to be 112 points or more (because of the Brazilian sprintrace as well). Let us know by filling in the poll and commenting in the comment section.