Verstappen may clinch his second F1 title in-a-row in Japan

Dutch driver needs both; win along with fastest lap in Japanese GP to bag 2022 Formula 1 title

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - Max Verstappen may clinch his second Formula One World Championship title in a row in the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Dutch driver, who is 104 points ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and 106 points ahead of his Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Perez, needs a 112 points lead to bag the 2022 season title by both winning the race and recording the fastest lap in the Japanese GP.

However, if Verstappen is first to cross the finish line but fails to get the fastest lap, while Leclerc finishes second, the title fight will go on in UN.

The Japanese GP, which consists of 53 laps, will be held at the Suzuka International Racing Course at 0500 GMT on Sunday.

So far this season, Verstappen has bagged 11 race wins, while Leclerc has three, Perez two, and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) one.

The top five drivers' and constructors' standings are as follows:

- Drivers:

1. Max Verstappen (Netherlands): 341 points

2. Charles Leclerc (Monaco): 237

3. Sergio Perez (Mexico): 235

4. George Russell (Great Britain): 203

5. Carlos Sainz (Spain): 202

- Constructors:

1. Red Bull: 576

2. Ferrari: 439