Crucially for Lando Norris, this drivers’ championship chase still remains outside his control.
Even if the Brit was to win every race from here, including sprints, he would still fall short if Max Verstappen finished second — which does offer some security to the Red Bull driver.
The soonest this could all be settled is the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo at the start of November, after which the total points still available finally ducks below 100. Only Verstappen could do that, and it would take a huge shift in the current pace dynamic on track.
If Norris is to win, it is likely to come in the final two race weekends; those being in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
But perhaps the biggest caveat here is the threat of a DNF or finishing outside the points on a Sunday. A victory for their rival would produce a 25-point swing.
Verstappen may be able to ride out one of those in the remaining six races. But for Norris, such a damaging grand prix round could prove fatal to his title hopes.
First appeared on www.nytimes.com