SINGAPORE: Red Bull鈥檚 dominant Max Verstappen can clinch a second world championship when the Singapore Grand Prix returns this weekend after a three-year absence because of COVID.

The flying Dutchman has a mathematical chance to seal back-to-back world titles under lights around the spectacular and demanding Marina Bay street circuit.

To do so, the 24-year-old must win the race 鈥� something he has never done in Singapore 鈥� and needs his closest rivals to falter badly.

If that does not happen, the championship fight will move on to the Japanese Grand Prix a week later. It looks a case of when, not if.

鈥淵ou need a bit of luck for that as well,鈥� Verstappen told Sky Sports of retaining his crown in Singapore.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think about it.鈥�

Verstappen opened up a 116-point lead in the drivers鈥� standings over Ferrari鈥檚 Charles Leclerc following his victory at the Italian Grand Prix. He is 125 clear of third-placed Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.

He needs to extend his lead to 138 points by Sunday鈥檚 chequered flag to be crowned with five races to spare 鈥� the earliest championship win since Michael Schumacher鈥檚 in 2002 with six GPs remaining.

Monza was Verstappen鈥檚 11th victory in 16 races of a potentially record-breaking season.

He needs two more wins to equal the single-season mark of 13 jointly held by Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2013).

鈥淚 want to go to Singapore and try to win that race as well,鈥� Verstappen said.

鈥淲e are having a great season, so we should really try and appreciate it and enjoy the moment.鈥�

To take the title this weekend, he must win the race with Leclerc finishing no higher than eighth or ninth 鈥� depending on who claims the extra point for the fastest lap 鈥� and Perez outside the podium places.

Much will depend on Saturday night鈥檚 qualifying for a grand prix that has been won from pole position seven times in its last 11 runnings.

The night race around the tight street track affords precious few overtaking opportunities and the stifling heat and humidity provide a test of stamina and reliability as much as driving ability.

Singapore鈥檚 climate always carries a threat of rain-induced chaos, as happened in 2017, when Vettel and Verstappen started on the front row only to crash out before the first bend.

Red Bull also look sure to wrap up the constructors鈥� championship 鈥� although they won鈥檛 do so in Singapore 鈥� but the race for second is still alive with Mercedes banking on a late-season revival to overtake early front-runners Ferrari.

The consistent George Russell is still in mathematical contention for the drivers鈥� crown in his first Mercedes season, though a Verstappen victory would end his hopes.

But the Silver Arrows are pushing hard and are 35 points behind Ferrari, who have suffered from a combination of reliability issues and strategic blunders.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has won four times in Singapore, but Russell was cautious about the pair鈥檚 chances of ending the team鈥檚 2022 win drought.

鈥淪ingapore could be interesting,鈥� said Russell.

鈥淏ut historically it鈥檚 a circuit where Mercedes have struggled a little bit.鈥�

Ferrari were buoyed by Leclerc鈥檚 second place at their home race at Monza two weeks ago and can attack Singapore with more confidence.

鈥淚 think we made a step ahead,鈥� said team principal Mattia Binotto.

Carlos Sainz cut through the field to finish fourth for Ferrari in Italy, with his charge for a podium place scuppered only by a late safety car.

鈥淚t鈥檚 clear as well if you look at the other cars behind us, we made a step ahead,鈥� said Binotto.

This will be Singapore鈥檚 first grand prix since the pandemic and signs are that the city-state is relishing having racing back.

Authorities have not released exact numbers, but ticket sales have already exceeded 2019, they say.