The question is rather: where will it be sacred?

From Singapore, October 2, the Dutch will have a first match point.

If he doesn't materialize, there will be a more serious one in Japan on October 9.

One thing is certain, it would take a cataclysm for Verstappen not to be crowned, such is his dominance this year, at the wheel of a well-bred and well-developed Red Bull during a season marked by new aerodynamic regulations.

He could very well go on vacation with his private jet, miss the next four races, and return to Brazil, for the penultimate Grand Prix on November 13... he would still be the leader.

His first pursuer, the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) is at 116 points.

This is followed by his Mexican team-mate at Red Bull Sergio Pérez, at 125 points, and the Briton from Mercedes George Russell, at 132 units.

Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), at 148 lengths, remains mathematically in contention.

Hamilton officially eliminated

On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) is officially eliminated.

The seven-time world champion, struggling in a less efficient single-seater, is at 167 points.

Their 2021 battle, which ended in pain for the Briton on the last lap of the last Grand Prix, seems very far away.

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With six Grands Prix remaining, including one preceded by a sprint race in Brazil offering eight additional points, a total of 164 points are at stake.

To be titled in the next race, Verstappen must leave Singapore 138 points ahead of his first pursuer.

There are multiple scenarios, but if we only consider Leclerc and Pérez, then Verstappen must take 22 and 13 points from them respectively in the Asian city-state.

For example, if Verstappen wins with the point for the fastest lap (+26 points), Leclerc finishes 9th (+2) and Pérez finishes 4th (+12), then Verstappen is titled.

More likely is a title at Suzuka, for Japan's first GP since 2019.

It is difficult to see, in any case, how he could be beaten.

Ruled like a Swiss clock, the Batave is a cold-blooded monster, driving an overpowered car and surrounded by a strategically the best team.

Even mechanical reliability is no longer a problem: the retirements in Bahrain and Australia are distant memories.

Just enough time to heat up the machine.

In these two countries, for the first and third rounds, Leclerc took the opportunity to put Ferrari back in the spotlight.

We then thought we were going to have a fierce duel between the two former karting rivals, who are 24 years old today.

Towards a record season

It is not the speed of the Monegasque or the Scuderia that is in question: Leclerc has achieved eight pole positions in 2022, against only four at Verstappen.

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But Ferrari just couldn't keep up, for reasons of mechanical reliability or strategy, and Leclerc wasn't infallible either (Imola, France).

The suspense gone, we look at the records that Verstappen can beat.

The one who has already marked F1 with several early records (youngest driver, youngest podium, youngest winner, etc.) is now aiming for the heights of the genre.

With eleven successes, he has a good chance of breaking the record of 13 wins in one season, held by the Germans Michael Schumacher (2004, out of a total of 18 races) and Sebastian Vettel (2013, out of 19 GPs).

If he wins the next five Grands Prix, he would also exceed the record of nine victories in a row, achieved in 2013 by Vettel at the wheel, already, of a Red Bull.

With the future in sight, the ultimate record: that of seven world titles, shared by Schumacher and Hamilton.

© 2022 AFP