Verstappen can win the title in Japan next Sunday, but would need the results of Perez and Leclerc to go his way. A second error, running wide at Turn 14, allowed Verstappen passed him for seventh. Verstappen would need to gain eight points on Leclerc – the difference between a win with fastest lap and second place – and nine on Perez to clinch the title at Suzuka on Sunday. Perez and Leclerc drove away into the distance from the start as Sainz struggled in the wet conditions, with Hamilton close behind him, and Verstappen behind. And Norris was strong in the McLaren, after passing Alonso at the start, to take fourth, benefiting from the errors made by Hamilton and Verstappen.

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