Yahoo Autos Max Verstappen Wins F1 Title after Confusing, Shortened Japanese Grand Prix
Race-winner and now two-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen dominated proceedings after 28 of the 53 laps completed—equivalent to 52% of the scheduled race distance.
That led to confusion over whether or not reduced points would be awarded and in what manner, with the FIA having introduced a range of new structures after last year’s Belgian Grand Prix debacle.
Verstappen crossed the finish line at the three-hour time limit believing reduced points were to be awarded.
Max Verstappen once again won a championship in a race likely to be talked about for years in Formula 1 circles.
And once again, it took a rules clarification to decide a race and a champion.
The F1 Japanese Grand Prix was stopped after the opening two laps—following a first-lap crash for Carlos Sainz—amid deteriorating weather conditions, with rain having fallen for 90 minutes prior to the start.
After a wait of two hours, and with only 45 minutes remaining on the clock for the race window, the track was suitable for racing, but it was clear that the race would not reach its full distance of 53 laps. That led to confusion over how points would be awarded and in what manner, with the FIA having introduced a range of new structures after last year’s Belgian Grand Prix debacle.
Verstappen dominated proceedings after 28 of the 53 laps completed—equivalent to 52% of the scheduled race distance—and crossed the line at the three-hour time limit believing reduced points were to be awarded. Charles Leclerc crossed the line second for Ferrari, ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, meaning that many believed Verstappen would have to wait for the next scheduled race at Austin, Texas, on Oct. 23 to clinch the title.
Even after the race ended, there was still uncertainty over the points structure, with people up and down the paddock expecting reduced points to be awarded.
Soon after the checkered flag Leclerc was handed a five-second time penalty for cutting the chicane on the final lap after locking up, and that demoted him to third, behind Perez.
With reduced points, it was insufficient for Verstappen to be champion, but with full points suddenly it was enough.
Why Were Full Points Awarded?
In the F1 regulations, the reduced points structure is only implemented in the event of a suspended race not resuming. As the race was resumed, full points were awarded—and still would have been. It was a small clause in the regulations that pretty much everyone in the paddock had overlooked.
Verstappen was duly informed that he was indeed the champion, sparking a somewhat delayed celebration.
Verstappen Confused, but Gladly Accepts Title
"For me, during the race I had no clue what they were going to decide with the points," said Verstappen. "The main plan was to win the race but once I crossed the line I was thinking: 'That was an amazing race—good points again but not world champion yet.'"
"Then, I was doing my interview after the race and suddenly my mechanics started to cheer and I was like: 'What is going on?' I realized that Checo (Perez) was second instead of Charles but I didn't know if it was full points, half points, or 75% points because you're reading through the rules.
"Then Tom (Wood, the FIA media delegate) came to me and said that I was world champion and then suddenly people were saying, 'No you still need a point.' "
"So it was a bit weird, but eventually we had enough points so then we were world champion again."
Red Bull boss Christian Horner conceded that "it’s a mistake that wasn’t included after the issues in Spa, they haven’t been mopped up, we were under the strong impression that only 75% points would be scored, so we thought we were going to be one point short."
Whatever way it happened it was a fully deserved championship for Verstappen after an emphatic display at Suzuka in tricky conditions, in which he pulled 27 seconds on the field in just 23 laps of green flag competition.
"Max has been outstanding this year, after a couple of difficult races to start the year—the way the team bounced back, he has dominated this championship and today he was totally dominant," beamed Horner. "I mean, to put 25 seconds on Charles in 20-odd laps was a massive performance today, with Checo finishing second, fantastic as well, and for the constructors’ it's big points as well. Delighted with the outcome and I think Max is a truly deserving champion."
Results
F1 Japanese Grand Prix
Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 28 laps
Sergio Perez, Red Bull, +27.066 seconds
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, +31.763
Esteban Ocon, Alpine, +39.685
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, +40.326
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, +46.358
Fernando Alonso, Alpine, +46.369
George Russell, Mercedes, +47.661
Nicholas Latifi, Williams, +1:10.143
Lando Norris, McLaren, +1:10.782
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, +1:12.877
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, +1:13.904
Yuki Tsunoda, AphlaTauri, +1:15.599
Kevin Magnussen, Haas, +1:26.016
Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo, +1:26.496
Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo, +1:27.043
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, +1:28.091
Mick Schumacher, Haas, +1:32.523
Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari, DNF
Alex Albon, Williams, DNF
F1 Points Standings
Drivers
Max Verstappen 366
Sergio Perez 263
Charles Leclerc 252
George Russell 207
Carlos Sainz 202
Lewis Hamilton 180
Lando Norris 101
Esteban Ocon 78
Fernando Alonso 65
Valtteri Bottas 46
Sebastian Vettel 32
Daniel Ricciardo 29
Pierre Gasly 23
Kevin Magnussen 22
Lance Stroll 13
Mick Schumacher 12
Yuki Tsunoda 11
Zhou Guanyu 6
Alex Albon 4
Nicholas Latifi 2
Nyck de Vries 2
Nico Hulkenberg 0
Constructors
Red Bull 619
Ferrari 454
Mercedes 387
Alpine 143
McLaren 130
Alfa Romeo 52
Aston Martin 45
Haas 34
AlphaTauri 34
Williams 8
