MOTORSPORT: Verstappen claims F1 title
Rain-marred Japanese GP sees Verstappen cruise to race win and 2022 Formula 1 championshipRed Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen has sailed to victory in the rain-affected Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka yesterday, and the points haul allowed him to successfully defend his World Driver’s Championship with four events remaining.
With rain seeing the race suspended in the early laps under an extended red flag, the event ultimately ran to a time-certain finish.
The decisive points advantage for Verstappen didn’t come without controversy, with runner-up Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) earning a 5sec penalty for running Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez off the track at the last corner.
The penalty saw the Mexican elevated to second in both the race results and the season pointscore.
“It's crazy,” said Verstappen.
“I mean, very mixed emotions by first of all winning the race, but you know, looking back now, of course, winning the championship.
“What a year we've had so far. It's been incredible and something I could have never imagined happening after last year, fighting until the end and having such a good car again this year.
“So, I'm so thankful to everyone who has been contributing to the success, of course, the whole team who is here, but also back at the factory who is constantly working flat out… They're never missing any motivation to try and make the car faster.”
After Verstappen qualified on pole position, the Dutchman powered away into the lead from the start from Leclerc, while the other Prancing Horse driven by Carlos Sainz ended the opening lap in the barriers.
Alex Albon also retired his Williams with engine issues, while Zhou Guanyu spun.
With the downpour intensifying, the red flag was thrown after the third of the scheduled 53 circuits.
After a false start when the drivers were ordered back to their cars, the time-certain cut-off for the race resulted in a 48min hit-out to the chequered flag, during which Verstappen drew out an impressive 26.8sec margin of victory.
The main strategies came with the timing of the stops for intermediate tyres as track conditions varied.
Behind Perez and Leclerc on the podium was Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), Fernando Alonso (Alpine), George Russell (Mercedes), Nicholas Latifi (Williams), who scored his first points of the season, with Lando Norris (McLaren) rounding out the top 10.
Next up on the Formula 1 schedule is the United States Grand Prix from the Circuit of the Americas on October 23.
2022 Japanese Grand Prix results:
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- Esteban Ocon, Alpine
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
- Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
- Fernando Alonso, Alpine
- George Russell, Mercedes
- Nicholas Latifi, Williams
- Lando Norris, McLaren
- Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren
- Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
- Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
- Kevin Magnussen, Haas
- Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo
- Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo
- Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
- Mick Schumacher, Haas
- DNF. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
- DNF. Alex Albon, Williams
2022 Formula 1 championship standings:
- Max Verstappen – 366
- Sergio Perez – 253
- Charles Leclerc – 252
- George Russell – 207
- Carlos Sainz – 202
- Lewis Hamilton – 180
- Lando Norris – 101
- Esteban Ocon – 78
- Fernando Alonso – 65
- Valtteri Bottas – 46
Related: MOTORSPORT: Perez claims drama-packed Singapore GP
Related: MOTORSPORT: Verstappen dominates Monza
Related: MOTORSPORT: Verstappen’s wins at home
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