Max Verstappen can match Fernando Alonso’s two World Championships at this weekend’s returning Singapore Grand Prix, should results go in his favour.
The Dutchman can claim the title at the Marina Bay Circuit due to having a 116-point lead over Charles Leclerc; having won 11 races has also massively benefitted the Red Bull driver.
The reigning World Champion can retain his title if he wins the Singapore GP and claims the fastest lap.
Should he do that, then Leclerc must finish in the top eight or Sergio Pérez needs to finish in the top four to stop the 25-year-old from matching Alonso’s titles.
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Not only could Verstappen claim the title with a victory this weekend, he could also match Alonso’s 32 race victories.
The 41-year-old’s last victory came all the way back in 2013, with only a handful of podiums to celebrate since.
Whilst Alonso believes Verstappen will “only get better” he has somewhat sent the Dutchman a warning that future success isn’t guaranteed.
“I think so, yes,” answered Alonso when asked if Verstappen would exceed his own success.
“He’s 24 or 25, no? So there’s still a lot in front of him, but I wish him more luck than me because I was also 26 with those stats and still have the same stats at 40! But I’m sure with Red Bull and how things look for the future, he will only get better.
“It’s very well deserved. They were the best team and the best driver by far, so when they win it I don’t think it is an important thing, it’s just that they will. Whether it’s here or Japan, let’s see.”
Verstappen has cruised to the second title, massively thanks to not only his sheer domination but also Ferrari’s incompetence.
The Maranello-based team have had a number of strategic errors and reliability problems, whilst Leclerc has also made some errors himself.
Alonso pinpointed that Verstappen hasn’t been offered “much fight” this season but praised Verstappen and Red Bull for being “outstanding”.
“There was not much fight, no?” added Alonso.
“I mean, it’s going to be an important season because we changed the regulations massively, so it’s going to always be remembered for this new generation of cars.
“I think Ferrari had a very, very fast car but Red Bull and Max were outstanding. There was no fight maybe because Red Bull and Max Verstappen were better than the others, but they didn’t have that superior car because I guess Ferrari’s is the same or better.”
With the second title within his grasp, the Red Bull driver who ended FP1 in second, isn’t thinking about winning the title this weekend.
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It is very much a “long shot” that the title will be concluded this weekend; however, with the weather potentially sketchy as the weekend progresses anything is possible.
“I don’t really think about it. It’s quite a long shot,” Verstappen said.
“I just want to enjoy the weekend and, of course, try to win it.”