Lewis Hamilton can be crowned as early as Austin

Mathematically, only three drivers can contend for the world crown in 2016: Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Nico Rosberg.

The Briton, the reigning world champion, is best positioned with his 66-point lead over his runner-up, Vettel, and 73 over his teammate Rosberg. However, Hamilton must finish in the top 5 of the race to clinch the world crown.

Winner of the 2014 United States Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton is on the royal path to securing a third title, the second in a row. If he succeeds with three races left before the end of the championship, it will be the first time he wins a world title before the final round of a season.

In 2008, it is remembered that the Briton, then with McLaren, won by overtaking Timo Glock’s Toyota in the final corner of the last Grand Prix of the season, thus beating Felipe Massa and his Ferrari to the post.

Last year, he also had to wait until the last race in Abu Dhabi to defeat his teammate and sole rival, Nico Rosberg, who had maintained a slim hope of the title, thanks in part to the rule of double points for the final round.

But what about the different scenarios that could lead to crowning the 2016 world champion as early as this weekend?

Translate: If Hamilton finishes 1st, then Vettel must not do better than 3rd;

If **Hamilton** finishes **2nd**, **Vettel** must not do better than **6th** and **Rosberg 3rd**;

If Hamilton finishes 3rd, Vettel must not do better than 7th and Rosberg 4th;

If Hamilton finishes 4th, Vettel must not do better than 8th and Rosberg 5th;

If Hamilton finishes 5th, Vettel must not do better than 9th and Rosberg 6th.

The advantage is therefore necessarily for Lewis Hamilton, especially since Ferrari has chosen to equip its two cars with two new power units this weekend, which will force Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen to move back 10 places on the grid after qualifying.