Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen leads the Formula 1 Drivers' Standings, and he can clinch the world title in the Las Vegas Grand Prix this month.
After a sensational drive in torrential conditions at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where the three-time World Champion climbed up from P17 to win his eighth race of the season, Verstappen is within touching distance of claiming his fourth title in as many years.
With just three full races remaining in the 2024 season, Verstappen has one hand on the World Drivers Championship with a 62-point lead over McLaren's Lando Norris in second place.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix presents the Dutchman with his first opportunity to claim the title, ensuring Red Bull finish the year with at least one championship after falling to third in the Constructors Championship Standings - behind McLaren and Ferrari.
86 total points remain up for grabs in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi but, despite Qatar also having a sprint race, if Verstappen finishes the next race at least 60 points ahead of Norris then he will clinch the title.
There are a number of ways that he can achieve this, with an outright win over Norris at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit the obvious way.
The same would also happen should both drivers fail to finish the race.
However, Verstappen could still claim the title before the end of the month even if he finishes behind the 25-year-old Brit.
Should Verstappen finish one place behind Norris in the race, except for a 1-2 situation, and Norris fails to claim the fastest lap point in the process, then it would secure the 27-year-old another piece of history after a tough few months.
Finishing P2-P3/P3-P4/P4-P5 etc would see the two drivers separated by just two points in the race, which would ensure Verstappen walks away with the minimum 60 points needed to retain his title.
It's been a difficult season at times for the Milton Keynes-based team, who have not had the same dominant performances as the 2023 season, so to see Verstappen claim a fourth consecutive Driver's Championship would be a huge success as other teams have managed to catch up in performances.
It will take a lot to get the desired result, but Las Vegas could be the deciding race.
