Red Bull driver Max Verstappen clinched his second consecutive Formula One drivers’ title by winning the Japanese Grand Prix in the rain at Suzuka on Sunday. (More Motorsports News)
Verstappen has been dominant all seasꦚon and claimed the title with four races remaining.
The Dutchman started from pole in pouring rain only for the race to be stopped after two laps as several cars crash💖ed. It was resumed two hours later with 28 of the 53 laps completed and Verstapp🐲en leading the whole way.
He was followed by teammate Sergio Perez in second and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. They were the only drivers who couldꦦ have overtaken Verstappen for the title.
Verstappen now has an unsurmoun🌠table lead with 366 points. Perez has 2🎃53 and Leclerc 252.
Verstappen did not know initially that he had won the season title after the shortened race, thinking that the full 25 points for a win would not be awarded. But a short time later, the FIA — F1′s governing body — awarded full points.And he apologized to the crowd💙 on the track public address system just after the race.
“The champio♐nship obviously did not come😼 the way this time around,” he said.
Seconds later, television coverage declared him▨ champion.
At the start, Verstappen took the lead with a risky pass after a slow start but several cars further back lost control including Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who spun and was knocked out.Organizers stopped the race after two laps. AlphaTaura’s Pierre Gasly complained on his radio that he passed a recovery vehicle that was allowed on to the track shortly aft🧸er the safety car emerged. This incident apparently came just as the race was red flagged.
This is a sensitive issue in Japan. In 2014, French driver Jules Bianchi collided on the 𝕴course with a recovery vehicle. He was placed in an induced coma and died nine months later.
After a two-hour delay, the racജes restarted and Verstappen never looked 🅷back, leading the rest of the way.
