Max Verstappen crowned world champion in confusion at Suzuka

This Japanese Grand Prix will therefore have been confusing from start to finish. First left for two laps, then interrupted for two hours following a red flag, the drivers set off again for forty minutes on a wet track. Max Verstappen imposed himself in front Charles Leclerc et Sergio Perez, before the Monegasque is penalized for the benefit of the Mexican. The Batavian, very strong in mathematics, imagined, like everyone else, that he was one point short of being crowned. Only then, during his post-race interview, he was told that he was champion and that all the points had been awarded, even though only 50% of the race laps had been completed. 

Poor Max, already crowned in complicated conditions the previous year, was invited to sit in a Game of Thrones style champion's chair. His only words? “I don’t think I’m champion yet”. Yes, he is! The FIA ​​has in fact decided to distribute all the points according to article 6.5 which stipulates that the reduced allocation of points only takes into account when the neutralized race does not resume. Hence the general confusion here in Japan. 

Max Verstappen, you are a DOUBLE WORLD CHAMPION 👑👑 pic.twitter.com/mViZ5woEit

- Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 9, 2022

Long before that, during the red flag which lasted 2 hours and five minutes, we first thought we were witnessing a remake of the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, with endless hours of waiting and a race that had never been taken back. This time, the capricious Suzuka sky ended up calming down around 9 a.m. (French time), allowing the drivers to return to the track and Max Verstappen to win a twelfth victory this season, and a second championship title. world therefore. As Sebastian Vettel in 2010 and 2011, the Batavian will have won the title first in Abu Dhabi before picking up his second at Suzuka.

There were therefore two key moments in this Grand Prix which allowed Verstappen to secure the title. First the departure, less well negotiated than his front row partner Charles Leclerc. But the Dutchman, author of exceptional late braking, was able to maintain his position in the first curve and authoritatively relegated his rival behind him. The pilot of the car No. 16 then struggled with its tires when resuming the curve. 

While he was about to keep Sergio Perez behind him and postpone Max's second coronation to Austin in two weeks, the Monegasque made a mistake in the last chicane on completely worn tires, preventing the Mexican from passing. This earned him a logical penalty of 5 seconds... and a demotion to 3rd place, which therefore offered the title to the man whose rival he has been for years. karting. Also note the superb 4th place ofEsteban Ocon, who will have resisted Lewis Hamilton for forty minutes and which allows Alpine to go back in front McLaren in 4th place in the Manufacturers' championship.

Fear for Gasly 

We will also remember from this Grand Prix the chaotic first two laps which preceded the red flag. In just two laps, Sebastian Vettel went into the gravel at the first corner, Carlos Sainz had time to get into the wall due to heavy aquaplanning (and could count himself lucky not to have been hit when his car bounced on the track), Guanyu-Zhou he went into a spin on the slow left while trying to overtake Nicholas latifiAnd finally, Pierre Gasly ended up with an advertising panel under the front wing.

But it was nothing compared to the fear experienced by the future pilot Alpine. The Norman, who went through the pits to change his damaged front wing under safety car regime, tried to rejoin the peloton on the second lap. Until he had the unpleasant encounter, at turn 12, with a tractor working on Sainz's car, in absolutely terrible visibility conditions and while he was obviously driving as fast as possible to regain his place , the red flag having just been waved.

Beyond the understandable anger of the Norman who was legitimately afraid for his life, some of his comrades like Lando Norris or Sergio Perez immediately reacted on social networks arguing that Jules Bianchi's accident in 2014 had obviously not been enough. Funny Grand Prix in Japan, which ultimately ended well. The race took place, Max Verstappen, emeritus champion, was crowned, and Pierre Gasly, despite a huge scare, is alive just like his comrades. Next time, perhaps it would be better, finally, to reschedule this Grand Prix in another window than the current one of the typhoon season...