What are the possible scenarios for the title fight?
With a difference of seven points covering the top three as we come into the final race of the season in Brazil, outlined below are the various scenarios that could take place in Sao Paulo next weekend.
How Fernando Alonso can become Champion:
Should Fernando win the race, he would need for Lewis to be on the bottom step of the podium or lower to take the title.
If Fernando is in second position after the 71 laps, Lewis would have to be in sixth position or lower.
If Fernando takes third, he would need to Lewis to only secure one point and for Kimi not to win.
If Fernando is fourth, Lewis would have to not score any points, with Kimi also not on the top two steps of the podium.
How Lewis Hamilton can become Champion:
Lewis takes either of the top two steps on the Interlagos podium, no matter where Fernando and Kimi finish.
If Fernando comes second, Lewis would need to take the chequered flag in fifth position.
If Lewis finishes sixth or seventh, he would need for Fernando to finish out of the top two and for Kimi not to win.
If Lewis finishes in the final points paying position of eighth, the only way he can take the title is for Fernando to finish out of the top three and for Kimi to finish out of the top two.
Should Lewis retire from the race or score no points, then he would need for Fernando to finish in fifth or below and for Kimi to be in third or below.
How Kimi Raikkonen can become Champion:
Kimi would need to win the race, with Fernando and Lewis finishing out of the top two and five respectively.
If Kimi takes second position, then he would need Lewis to only take one point and for Fernando to be out of the top three.
There is a high possibility that two of the drivers could finish on the same points, in the event of this the following scenarios have been calculated to establish who will win:
What will happen if Fernando and Lewis finish on equal points?
If Fernando is first and Lewis third, Fernando will have one more first position so will win.
If Fernando is second and Lewis fifth, Lewis will have one more fifth position so will win.
If Fernando is third or fourth with Lewis in seventh or eighth respectively, Lewis will have one more second position so will win.
What will happen if Kimi finishes on the same points as either Fernando or Lewis?
As Kimi has won five races and Fernando and Lewis have won four each, in the case of a tie at the top of the standings with either driver Kimi will win the Drivers’ World Championship. To draw with Lewis Kimi has to finish first or second with Lewis in sixth and eighth respectively and he has to finish second with Fernando fourth to win.
What will happen if all three drivers finish on equal points?
There is only one scenario that will see all three drivers finish on the same points. They would all be on 108 points and Kimi needs to finish second, scoring eight points, Fernando to finish fourth with five points and Lewis eighth with one point. If this happens, then Kimi will win the Drivers’ World Championship as he will have one more win than both Fernando and Lewis.
