MAX VERSTAPPEN was named Champion of the World with victory in the Japanese Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen surrendered the opportunity to clinch a second successive championship win in Singapore last weekend.
The Red Bull driver came out on top in the Suzuka Circuit amid poor weather conditions .
Lando Norris took to Twitter to criticise the decision to resume as Verstappen came out on top.
Charles Leclerc was handed a penalty in the final lap, seeing Sergio Perez pushed up to second in an entertaining affair.
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Leclerc slams truck decision
Charles Leclerc, the godson of tragic Jules Bianchi, added to the criticism of race chiefs for allowing a recovery truck on.
The Ferrari driver said: “We shouldn’t see these things. Something happened in 2014 and we should learn from it.
“I hope we learn from it and that we don’t see these things again.”
Race chiefs blasted for letting truck on
Drivers and team bosses slated Japanese GP officials for putting a recovery truck on a wet track while racing continued.
They blasted the “unacceptable” decision – eight years after French driver Jules Bianchi died when he hit a similar vehicle in the same GP.
Alpha Tauri star, who passed the truck today, said: “I’m just extremely grateful that I am here.”
“How can there be a crane, not even in the gravel, on the race track, while we are still on the track? I don’t understand.
“We lost Jules already. We all lost an amazing guy, eight years ago, at the same track, in the same conditions with the crane.
“It was disrespectful to Jules, it’s disrespectful to his family and to all of us.
“We are risking all lives out there. We are doing the best job in the world, but what we are asking is to at least keep us safe.”
‘Are you sure I’ve won it?’
Even Max Verstappen was unsure he’d clinched his second successive title as F1 confusion reigned again following his Japanese GP win today.
The sport’s chiefs had to step in to confirm full points would be awarded – despite it running little more than half distance.
Had it been only three-quarter points – as all teams expected – Verstappen would have still need a point at the USA GP on October 23 to seal his second crown.
He was heard asking: “Are you sure?” when told he was champ.
And after being reassured of his title he said: “It’s crazy, very mixed emotions.
“I’m so thankful to everyone who’s been contributing to the success, the whole team has been working flat out.
Beside that, the work we did with Honda every year, constantly improving, gets very emotional especially here. I’m very proud we could do it here.
“The first is more emotional but the second is more beautiful. We’re leading the constructors so we want to focus on that, to secure that.”
F1 congratulates our NEW champion
Formula 1 tweeted:
“MAX VERSTAPPEN.
“TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION!!!”
Back-to-back title wins for Verstappen
Max Verstappen has clinched his SECOND Formula One world championship title with four races to go.
The Dutchman started in P1 in Japan and dominated the rain soaked race, crossing the line with a lead greater than 20 seconds.
Title rival Charles Leclerc finished second, which would’ve seen the title race go into Austin in two weeks time.
But Leclerc was handed a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage on Sergio Perez on the final lap, seeing the pair swap places.
It meant Verstappen was crowned world champion in bizarre circumstances for a second year running after his controversial last lap win over Lewis Hamilton last year.
He was told he was world champ, to which he replied: “What can I say? incredible! Very special to do it here. In front of the Honda people and the Japanese fans.”
Verstappen told he was champ
The moment Verstappen found out he was crowned champion was underwhelming.
The 2021 champ, who pipped Lewis Hamilton in controversial scenes last year, was initially told he had secured the successful title defence during the middle of his race win interview in the paddock, leaving him stunned and clearly surprised when the graphic appeared behind him.
Verstappen took in the congratulations and finished off the very brief interview before running over to jump in celebration with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet and the Red Bull crew members.
However, even then the dominant driver was still not 100 per cent sure he was actually the world champion as fans at home had no idea whether it was done or not.
So it was not until the Dutchman was in the post-race drivers’ room with Leclerc and Perez that it was absolutely confirmed for him.
Verstappen can be seen asking: “I am? Are you sure?” before getting the green light.
A chaotic crowning moment at the Japanese Grand Prix
Max Verstappen had no idea he was crowned world champion – after a chaotic Japanese Grand Prix.
And his confusion was clear to see in the bizarre moment he discovered the news.
The Red Bull driver breezed to an easy victory at Suzuka after a red flag initially stopped the race.
He crossed the line well clear of title rivals Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez.
But Ferrari driver Leclerc was penalised with a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage by going off the track on the final lap of the race.
And that bumped Leclerc down to third.
But uncertainty over the points for the race, which only had 28 laps completed, meant it took a few minutes to work out for sure.
In the end, full points were awarded because the race was resumed and ensured Verstappen finished the day 113 points clear of Perez with 112 points left up for grabs this season.
Verstappen celebrates
The Dutchman celebrates winning the Japanese Grand Prix and ultimately, winning the drivers championship for the second time in a row.
Credit: Getty Verstappen on winning the title
“It’s crazy, very mixed emotions. Winning the championship, what a year we’ve had. It’s incredible!
“I’m so thankful to everyone who’s been contributing to the success, the whole team has been working flat out. Beside that, the work we did with Honda every year, constantly improving, gets very emotional especially here. I’m very proud we could do it here.
“The first is more emotional but the second is more beautiful. We’re leading the constructors so we want to focus on that, to secure that.
Max Verstappen
MAX VERSTAPPEN IS CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!
Leclerc drops to P3
A penalty for Leclerc sees Perez pushed up to second, which means…
Race control note Leclerc incident
Leclerc left the track in the final lap when holding off Perez, and the incident has been noted by race control.
Leclerc holds off Perez!
Wow, what drama between these two!
It wasn’t tidy in the final few corners and he may actually be docked a position for that.
Verstappen wins the Japanese GP!
Final lap – Perez close to overtaking Leclerc
The two just about avoid contact!
Final lap of the race!
3 mins to go – Alonso flying
Just four seconds behind Russell now, with those new tyres working a treat.
7 mins to go – Perez catching Leclerc
It’s worrying for the Ferrari in 2nd, with Perez now firmly on his tail and pushing for a Red Bull 1-2.
8 mins to go – Alonso pits
Alonso pits and exits in 10th, what can he do in the final few minutes here?
10 mins to go – Will anyone else pit?
Zhou has set the fastest lap of the race after pitting, will that convince anyone higher up to take the risk?
13 mins to go – Hamilton can’t overtake Ocon
The pair almost touch down the pit straight, but Ocon remains ahead of the seven-time champion.
15 mins to go – Alonso pushing Vettel
Two legends of the sport fighting for 6th at the moment, with the German winning the battle up to now.
17 mins to go – Ocon still holding of Hamilton
A fascinating battle for 4th this, with Ocon still ahead at the moment.
20 mins to go – Leclerc considering stop
Falling way behind Verstappen, Leclerc is considering another pit stop.
22 mins to go – Hamilton pressuring Ocon
The Mercedes is looking for a way to get round Ocon, although the straight line speed advantage is helping the Alpine.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
