When can Max Verstappen win the F1 title? Formula 1 permutations explained
Your complete guide to when Max Verstappen could win the F1 world title in 2023.
The Formula 1 season is all coming to a head with Max Verstappen entering the final sector in his hunt to become a three-time world champion.
The Red Bull superstar's 10-race winning streak ended in dismay with a scruffy weekend performance in Singapore, but he remains firmly on target to clinch the title in the weeks to come.
Fans will be speculating about when and where the flying Dutchman could achieve the inevitable, and we're on hand to help.
RadioTimes.com brings you all the details on when Max Verstappen could win the F1 world title in 2023.
Check out more Formula 1 coverage: F1 calendar 2023 | How to watch F1 on TV | F1 beginner's guide | F1 highlights | F1 presenters | F1 on Channel 4
When can Max Verstappen win the F1 title?
Max Verstappen cannot win the 2023 Formula 1 world title at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.
Verstappen's first non-podium finish of the season in Singapore means he could no longer repeat last season's title-winning heroics at Suzuka.
The Dutchman could win the F1 world title at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday 8th October, if results fall his way as explained below.
F1 title permutations
Four drivers could mathematically still win the F1 title in 2023: Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
That said, if Verstappen finishes in the points in Suzuka, Hamilton and Alonso are likely to be officially eliminated from the running.
Should Hamilton and Alonso fail to outscore Verstappen by 15 and 25 points respectively in the Japanese Grand Prix, they're out of the hunt.
If Verstappen wins the Japanese Grand Prix with the fastest lap and Pérez fails to record any points, Verstappen could win the title in the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race.
If Verstappen wins the Japanese Grand Prix and Pérez comes second, Verstappen would need to outscore Pérez by 21 points across the Qatar race weekend to be crowned king.
Essentially, if Verstappen finishes ahead of Pérez in Japan, the gap between them will determine the size of Verstappen's task in Qatar.
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
If you're looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide, or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news.
Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.