The bottom line in Saudi Arabia is that Max Verstappen needs to outscore Lewis Hamilton by 18 points<\/a> to be crowned World Champion. Although that would give him a 26 point lead, Hamilton could level that with a win and fastest lap in Abu Dhabi if Verstappen is out of the points. If that happened, the Dutchman would be crowned World Champion as he has more race wins.<\/p>\n He currently holds nine wins in his pockets to Hamilton\u2019s seven. If Verstappen is to outscore Hamilton by 18 points in the penultimate race, Hamilton can\u2019t win in Saudi Arabia, meaning it would end 9-8 in race wins to Verstappen. (Providing Lewis levels the points with a win and fastest lap in the curtain closer).<\/p>\n The four outcomes that could see Verstappen crowned World Champion in Saudi Arabia are as follows: If he wins the race and Hamilton is 7th<\/sup> or lower, or if he wins with the fastest lap and Hamilton finishes 6th<\/sup> or lower. If he finishes 2nd<\/sup>, he\u2019d require the Brit to not score, however, 10th<\/sup> place wouldn\u2019t be enough for Hamilton if Verstappen was 2nd<\/sup> with the fastest lap.<\/p>\n Obviously that\u2019s unknown! Anything can happen in sport. After the mammoth season we\u2019ve had, you would be foolish to rule out any further drama in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n Hamilton and Mercedes currently have the momentum heading into the weekend, having won in Brazil<\/a> and Qatar<\/a> to close the gap to just eight points.<\/p>\n I\u2019m sure all the neutrals in the title fight would love nothing more than a final race shoot-out between these two hugely talented drivers. Of course, if Hamilton wins the next race with the fastest lap and Verstappen in 2nd<\/sup>, we\u2019d head into the final race of the season with nothing to separate the pair. Now that sounds perfect doesn\u2019t it?\u00a0The ending such a tense, dramatic and enjoyable season deserves!<\/p>\n Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images<\/a>The Permutations<\/a><\/h2>\n
Will We See a New World Champion at Saudi Arabia?<\/h3>\n