Motorsport

MAX VERSTAPPEN looked awkward as he sat perched on a red-fabric chair that was draped with a fake, white sheepskin like a gaudy throne.He was not the only one.
Verstappen won a second F1 world titleCredit: AP
The Dutchman dominated the race in JapanCredit: Getty
Verstappen has 12 wins to his name this seasonCredit: Rex
Horner (right) admitted there was confusion over the rulesCredit: Splash
His Red Bull sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley, the man who famously had THAT discussion with the FIA’s former Race Director, Michael Masi, in Abu Dhabi in 2021, sat on the pitwall and frantically re-read the rulebook.
Just moments before, Verstappen had been told he was the F1 world champion by virtue of a five-second time penalty for Charles Leclerc, which demoted the Ferrari man to third place.
Still, some four minutes after getting the news, Verstappen was not sure if he was world champion or not, as he didn’t know for certain if he’d been awarded enough points to wrap up the championship with four races to go.
For the second year running, the F1 title had been decided in the stewards’ room – albeit in lesser controversial circumstances this time around.
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When the news was finally confirmed, Verstappen’s concern eased – not that this year’s title was in any real doubt over the final six races.
This year he has been in excellent form while his Red Bull team have been on point with their decision making.
It had become a matter of when – not if he’d win the title.
He crossed the line some 27 seconds ahead of his teammate, Sergio Perez, to win the Japanese GP, which had been time-limited to 28 laps due to a two-hour rain delay.
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It was a fitting performance with which to clinch the title.
He said: “During the race, I had no clue what they were going to decide with the points. So of course the main target was to win the race.
“Once I crossed the line, I was like ‘OK that was an amazing race with good points again, but not world champion yet’.
“Then I did my interview after the race. And then suddenly my mechanics started to cheer and I was like, what’s going on?
“And then I realised that Checo [Perez] was second instead of Charles, but I still didn’t know if it was full points, half points or whatever.
“But then of course, you read through the rules. And the FIA came to me and said that I was the world champion.
“So then we celebrated but people were telling me no, you’re still missing a point, and then it is amazing again – it was a bit weird.
“Eventually we had enough points. So then we were world champions again.”
‘Hard to find middle ground’ on rules
When asked about the complexity of the rules, Verstappen added: “I don’t mind that it was a little bit confusing.
“I find it actually quite funny because at the end of the day, it’s not going to change the result.
“These are really complex situations with the weather and the amount of laps. And then it’s a difference between if you finish a race or the race gets red flagged and you can’t continue.
“If you don’t write enough rules, it’s not good. If you write too many rules. It’s also not good. It’s always really hard to find a middle ground.”
So how come nobody knew the rules? The teams were simply caught out, for it was in the overly complicated regulations.
After last year’s washout Belgian Grand Prix, the FIA changed the points rules, so that  only a certain percentage of the points were awarded if the race did not last the full distance.
With the Japanese GP running to 28 laps – just more than 52% – many had anticipated Verstappen would get 19 points for his win – not the full 25 – with Perez getting 14 for second and Leclerc 12 for third.
If that were the case, then the final result in Suzuka would have left Verstappen one point short of what he needed.
However, the wording of the rule caused the confusion. Article 6.5 states “if a race is suspended in accordance and cannot be resumed, points for each title will be awarded…”
However, because the Japanese GP DID resume after the stoppage for rain – the reduced-point rule does not apply.
The FIA later clarified: “The rules regarding the reduced points allocation only apply in the event of race suspension that cannot be resumed, and therefore full points are awarded and Max Verstappen is world champion.”
Red Bull boss Christan Horner said: “We thought we would be one point short, so to win the title is beyond our wildest dreams.
“Max has been truly dominant from the way he has driven from the first race [of the season].
“The team have also raised it to a new level and have gone way and beyond. To win and get that victory here with Honda is very special.”
Driver safety concerns
As for the race itself, in the tricky conditions it was Leclerc who made a good start only for Verstappen to regain his place in front.
But a first-lap crash for Carlos Sainz and the subsequent deployment of the recovery tractors rightly incensed drivers, and will require a full-scale investigation into just how marshals and tractors were allowed onto a live race track in those poor conditions.
It was dangerous and simply unforgivable considering this was a track that ultimately claimed the life of Jules Bianchi, who collided with a recovery tractor there in 2014.
The race was red flagged after only three laps and then faced with a lengthy delay, triggering the clock on the three-hour limit.
The race did resume with 40 minutes left and the rain-soaked fans were treated to some fantastic racing.
The highlight was Leclerc and Perez battling for second-place, with the Ferrari man leaving the track at the final corner and deemed to have gained an advantage, triggering a five-second penalty to demote him to third. 
Sebastian Vettel went from last on lap one to finishing sixth while Esteban Ocon defended brilliantly to hold on to P4 ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton simply could not find a way past the Frenchman despite relishing the tricky conditions.
He said: “I don’t feel frustrated. It was a sprint race and I did the best I could and was happy we got some points.
“I was just so slow in a straight line. I got as close as I could but as soon as I pulled out, they got away.
“In terms of conditions, it was awesome. That’s what motor racing is all about. I had a blast. It was so hard to see but that is motor racing.”
Hamilton, who is in sixth place in the championship, added: “Congrats to Max.
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“For us, we know what the problems are with this car and I believe as a team we have not gone from being world champions to not being able to build a good car.
“I believe we have the team to come back stronger next season.”
The conditions saw the race be suspended following crashesCredit: Rex
Leclerc was handed a time penalty and fell to third, handing Verstappen the title winCredit: AP
Red Bull chief Horner says Verstappen was ‘truly dominant’Credit: Getty More

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.
Max Verstappen did his regular race interview thinking he had just fallen shortCredit: Twitter@SkySportsNews
He initially found out he was world champion in bizarre fashionCredit: AP
His girlfriend Kelly Piquet was on hand to join in the celebrationsCredit: Twitter@SkySportsNews
Verstappen asked for clarification back stage to ensure he had definitely wonCredit: Twitter

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.
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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.
But the moment he 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.
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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.
He then sat on a big armchair in a side room watching a graphic declaring him as the 2022 Formula One world champion.
The Red Bull star then joked he felt “lonely” so came back out for the podium trophy lift and champagne.
He then did another interview as the reality started to settle in.
The two-time champ said: “What can I say? incredible! Very special to do it here. In front of the Honda people and the Japanese fans.
‘SECOND ONE MORE BEAUTIFUL’
“The first one is a little more emotional, the second one is more beautiful.
“It’s been a special year, and you need to remind yourself as these kind of years you don’t have very often.
“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.”
Verstappen revealed he considered pitting to try and get the fastest lap and an extra point.
He added: “It’s a pretty crazy feeling, of course, because I didn’t expect it when I crossed the line.
“Of course, you could see it slowly happening, but it’s incredible at the end of the day that we did win it here.
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“I didn’t know how many points I was going to get and I wanted to go for the fastest lap, but I think the gap was just not safe enough to go for an extra stop.
“I was also very happy with the race we had, so there was no real fuss or stress about it.”
Verstappen was mobbed by colleagues and KellyCredit: Splash
He collected the Japan GP trophy on the podiumCredit: AP More

THE FATHER of the late Jules Bianchi and Formula One drivers have hit out after Pierre Gasly narrowly avoided a serious crash with a tractor on track at the Japanese Grand Prix.In torrential rain with very limited visibility, the red flag was waved after Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon crashed out on the first lap.
Gasly narrowly avoided a tractor collecting Sainz’s carCredit: F1
Gasly and Co have fumed at the near-missCredit: Getty
Drivers were forced back to the pits due to the rainCredit: AFP
The Japan GP became a timed race as a result of conditionsCredit: AFP
Drivers made their way back to the pits but Gasly, who was at the back of the grid, had a near-miss with a tractor that had emerged out on track to collect Sainz’s Ferrari.
Live speed data showed Gasly doing 200km/h as he approached the tractor, with dash-cam footage from Sainz’s car showing a quick-thinking marshal rushing out of the way and dragging the vehicle across when he sees the Frenchman approaching.
Gasly’s close call evoked memories of the 2014 instalment of the F1 Japanese GP when Bianchi suffered a horrific crash.
Bianchi went off track under double-waved yellow flags before running under a crane vehicle that was taking another car from the track.

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The Frenchman was left with severe brain damage and didn’t regain consciousness, sadly passing in 2015.
His father, Bianchi Snr, hit out on Instagram saying there was “no respect for the life” of Gasly.
He said: “No respect for the life of the driver no respect for Jules memory incredible.”
Gasly fumed, saying he could’ve “killed himself”.
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McLaren’s Lando Norris labelled the incident “unacceptable”.
He tweeted: “Wtf. How’s this happened!? We lost a life in this situation years ago.
“We risk our lives, especially in conditions like this. We wanna race. But this… Unacceptable.”
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez was also quick to reference Bianchi.
He said: “How can we make it clear that we never want to see a crane on track?
“We lost Jules because of that mistake. What happened today is totally unacceptable!!!!!
“I hope this is the last time ever I see a crane on track!”
After a lengthy delay, the conditions improved and Max Verstappen went on to win the race – and his second world title.
Conditions were tough behind the frontrunnersCredit: Reuters
Racing resumed after a rolling startCredit: Reuters More

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’S nephew David was involved in a scary crash at the Hockenheim DTM event earlier today.As the 20-year-old scrapped with Thomas Preining during lap 6, a collision on turn 8 sent both cars careering off track and towards the barrier.
Dennis Olsen’s car briefly lit up in flamesCredit: https://www.motorsport.com/dtm/news/hockenheim-dtm-red-flagged-after-scary-crashes/10381619/
The crash caused an automatic red flagCredit: https://www.motorsport.com/dtm/news/hockenheim-dtm-red-flagged-after-scary-crashes/10381619/
A collision with the barrier caused Olsen’s issuesCredit: https://www.motorsport.com/dtm/news/hockenheim-dtm-red-flagged-after-scary-crashes/10381619/
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Schumacher and Preining’s crash gave Porsche ace Dennis Olsen big problems.
The Norwegian lost control of his car as he tried to avoid a pile-up – whacking into a barrier.
Moments later the impact caused his car to briefly spark into flames.
Thankfully all drivers were left unscathed by the crash, although Schumacher, Preining and Olsen were all taken to the medical centre to get checked.
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While the drivers were thankfully fine, the same could not be said for their cars – with the crash doing expensive damage.
The red flag was immediately waved, delaying the race.
Proceedings eventually got back underway with a lap behind the safety car.
David Schumacher is son of F1 legend Michael’s brother Ralf, and cousin of Haas star Mick.
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Seven-time world champion Michael has been out of the public eye since suffering a severe brain injury in December 2013 during a skiing accident in the French Alps.
He was placed in a medically induced coma until June 2014 and is now back home in Switzerland with his family.
Since the horrifying incident nearly nine years ago, Michael, 53, has lived an extremely private life – with very few updates on his health.
Mick’s F1 future, meanwhile, is up in the air – with Haas yet to renew his contract beyond the end of this year.
Should Haas decide to go in a different direction, Mick could be offered an F1 lifeline by Williams – who are not renewing Nicholas Latifi’s contract.
Asked about speculation, Williams team principal Jost Capito said: “Mick deserves to stay in F1. We’ll see if that happens, but he’s definitely an option for us.”
Olsen and Preining hug after the incidentCredit: https://www.motorsport.com/dtm/news/hockenheim-dtm-red-flagged-after-scary-crashes/10381619/ More

MAX VERSTAPPEN accused Lando Norris of showing him a lack of “respect” as the two had a narrow escape in qualifying for the Japanese GP.The flashpoint happened when Verstappen slowed down on the racing line before lighting up his tyres with a wheelspin.
Max Verstappen celebrates pole position ahead of Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos SainzCredit: Splash
Verstappen, who has never won in Japan looked chuffed after achieving pole positionCredit: AFP
But Norris, who was already up to speed, was forced to take evasive action, running wide and onto the grass.
It earned Verstappen no more than a ticking off from the stewards yet he was adamant it would never have happened if Norris showed him more courtesy.
He said: “We were on our out lap and we were all lining up to create a gap to everyone and then somehow he still wanted to get me into the chicane.
“I was on the point of accelerating and I was on very cold tyres, so I had a little moment and that’s why he had to drive around me.
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“But if he had just a bit more respect for me, because everyone is anyway lining up and I don’t think anyone is trying to pass into that last chicane, so by trying to pass me you create that kind of thing.”
On the other hand, Norris felt the Dutchman deliberately tried to block him during his qualifying lap, and the McLaren driver had expected Verstappen to be punished for the dangerous manoeuvre.
He said: “I mean it was quite clear he tried to do that. There’s no rule on doing what you can do, but doing what he did is something that you cannot do.
“People always overtake before the last corner as much as everyone all agrees to it everyone always does it.
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“He probably would have done the same if he was in my situation but wouldn’t have swerved at him if I was in his situation.”
Asked whether he would expect a penalty if he had been the guilty party, he added: “Oh yeah for sure.”
Verstappen’s outburst comes as he and his Red Bull team await their fate with the FIA announcing their findings into F1 cost-cap investigation.
It is widely believed that Red Bull have over-spent and will face a penalty, which will be determined by the FIA.
And Norris’ boss at McLaren, Zak Brown, says any team who has surpassed the £114million limit should be penalised.
The Red Bull driver was forced to see the Stewards after the race but escaped with a reprimandCredit: Getty
Verstappen in discussion with Team Principal Christian HornerCredit: Getty
He said: “The certificates were supposed to be distributed on Wednesday and they have now been postponed to Monday, which means for some reason they are not ready.
“You can, based on the speculation, assume a team or two haven’t complied. I don’t know that to be the case.
“Cost caps are critically important, and we need to make sure it is enforced (and) if someone has breached that, the appropriate penalties, not just financial, but sporting and technical, are put in place.
“If you bend the rules technically, you get penalties, and financials should be the same.
“Because if someone has overspent, then that gives them an on-track unfair advantage, and it needs to be dealt with accordingly firmly and quickly.”
Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly has signed for Alpine and will drive for the team from 2023.
Formula One 2022Everything you need to know about F1 this season

He will partner fellow Frenchman Esteban Ocon at the Oxfordshire based team – despite the two being far from mates.
The two fell out some years ago, despite growing up as friends, and Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer is hopeful the duo will rekindle their friendship when they become team-mates.
He said: “We made an informed decision and that means talking to the entire team – including Esteban beforehand – to make sure that if we did make a decision it’s a team sport and we have to be able to work together and optimise.
“Esteban was very supportive, Pierre as well. They’re professionals and they have no issue working together.
“Hopefully the friendship will rekindle, they were friends at one point, but from a professional perspective they’re both very happy to work with each other.”
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His departure has allowed AlphaTauri to sign Dutchman Nyck De Vries from under the noses of Williams, who had earmarked him as a replacement for Nicholas Latifi.
De Vries, who has been racing in Formula E and won last year’s title, has been handed his first shot in F1 by Red Bull’s B team. More