F1 LIVE | The Japanese Grand Prix with Verstappen on 'match point'

Max Verstappen can clinch his second world title on Sunday if he gets a good result in Japan. If he wins the race and sets the fastest lap, it does not matter what Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez do. Find out how the race unfolds in our liveblog.

The liveblog for Verstappen's championship race

The top three were unprecedentedly close in qualifying. Verstappen was the fastest in the end. He was one hundredth quicker than Leclerc and five hundredths quicker than Carlos Sainz. Sergio Perez followed at 0.405 seconds, but the Mexican is known to be generally faster in the race than during qualifying.

Verstappen can become champion

As mentioned, Verstappen can claim the world title if he wins and sets the fastest lap at Suzuka. Of course, this is not the only way, but it is the only way in which he is not dependent on the results of Leclerc and Perez. Ultimately, the Dutchman will need to score eight more points than Leclerc and six more than Perez on Sunday.

The race starts early Sunday morning in the Netherlands. The lights will go out at 6:00 AM BST. So set your alarm early and don't miss any of the action of perhaps Verstappen's championship race!