Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen poses on the rostrum with the trophy following his victory on the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Mie prefecture on Oct. 9, 2022.
Toshifumi Kitamura | Afp | Getty Images
Max Verstappen sealed his second Formula 1 world championship amid huge confusion after winning a chaotic, rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix.
There was huge confusion on the chequered flag amid uncertainty over whether full or partial points can be awarded for a race through which only 29 of the 53 scheduled laps were accomplished.
With between 50 per cent and 75 per cent of the laps accomplished, a lot of the F1 paddock believed Verstappen would only be awarded 19 points for his victory. But for the Japanese GP there was a distinct interpretation of the foundations, which state that the reduced points are only applied if a race is suspended “and can’t be resumed”.
Verstappen was clearly confused by the situation as celebrations began and were then paused, but it surely was eventually confirmed that full points had been awarded, sealing the 25-year-old’s triumph with 4 races of the season remaining.
“The primary one is a little bit more emotional, the second is more beautiful,” Verstappen said.
“Looking back, what a 12 months we have had thus far. It has been incredible. It’s something I could never have imagined. After last 12 months, fighting until the tip, after which having such a great automotive again this 12 months. I’m so thankful to everyone who has been contributing to this success.”
The Dutchman would have been denied the title if Charles Leclerc had come second, however the Ferrari driver’s final-lap error saw him given a five-second penalty – for leaving the track and gaining a bonus – that demoted him to 3rd behind the opposite Red Bull of Sergio Perez.
The sphere leave the pitlane for the restart following a red flag delay throughout the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on Oct. 09, 2022 in Suzuka, Japan.
Dan Istitene – Formula 1 | Formula 1 | Getty Images
The race had earlier threatened to be overshadowed by controversy, as an initial try to start in heavy rain resulted in chaos, with Carlos Sainz crashing right into a barrier, before a recovery tractor got here heading in the right direction with the cars still on the circuit.
The race was red-flagged and a two-hour plus delay ensued as rain continued to fall, with the probabilities of a resumption appearing bleak at several points.
Nonetheless, the skies cleared and the race resumed with a rolling start behind the Safety Automobile, with about 45 minutes left on the three-hour clock that had began ticking with the initial start.
The drying track saw the sector switch from full wet tyres to intermediate, but Verstappen was comfortable throughout as he pulled clear to win by 27 seconds.
Esteban Ocon produced an excellent defensive display to carry off Lewis Hamilton for fourth, while Sebastian Vettel and Nicholas Latifi benefitted from being the primary cars to pit on the restart, ending sixth and ninth respectively.
Japanese GP Final Result, Top 10
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
3) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
4) Esteban Ocon, Alpine
5) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
6) Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
7) Fernando Alonso, Alpine
8) George Russell, Mercedes
9) Nicholas Latifi, Williams
10) Lando Norris, McLaren
