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When the Singapore Grand Prix returns this weekend after a three-year absence due to Covid, Red Bull’s dominant Max Verstappen has a chance to win a second world championship.
The flying Dutchman has a mathematical chance of winning back-to-back world championships under the lights on the spectacular and demanding Marina Bay street circuit.
To do so, the 24-year-old must win the race – something he has never done in Singapore – and his closest competitors must falter severely.
If that does not happen, the championship fight will be moved a week later to the Japanese Grand Prix. It appears to be a matter of when, not if.
“You need a bit of luck for that as well,” Verstappen told Sky Sports of retaining his crown in Singapore.
“I don’t think about it.”
Verstappen’s victory at the Italian Grand Prix gave him a 116-point lead over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ standings. He is 125 points ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in third place.
He needs to increase his lead to 138 points by Sunday’s race to win the championship with five races remaining, the earliest since Michael Schumacher in 2002 with six races remaining.
Verstappen’s 11th victory in 16 races of a potentially record-breaking season came at Monza.
He needs two more victories to equal Schumacher’s (2004) and Sebastian Vettel’s (2004) single-season record of 13. (2013).
“I want to go to Singapore and try to win that race as well,” Verstappen said.
“We are having a great season, so we should really try and appreciate it and enjoy the moment.”
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