Verstappen takes F1 World Driver’s Championship title for 2nd straight season

Max Verstappen won his second Formula 1 World Driver’s Championship — his second title for two years in a row — at the recently-concluded Japanese Grand Prix.

The Dutchman received his newest world title in a race filled with numerous incidents and inclement weather conditions.

The Oracle Red Bull Racing driver — who began the race at Suzuka from pole position held the lead at the start — started fractionally slower than Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. As the pair headed towards the first turn, the Ferrari driver pulled ahead. Verstappen kept the power down and clung on around the outside to keep the lead. 

Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez — who started the race at fourth position — overtook Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.  

The series of incidents began soon after.

Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel spun in Turn 1 after tapping Alpine’s Fernando Alonso. Sainz, trying to chase Pérez, slid into the barriers after his tires hydroplaned.

Pierre Gasly drove back to the pits with the fencing stuck to the nose of his car after a section of hoarding hurled back onto the track following Sainz’s incident. Meanwhile, Williams’ Alex Albon had to stop after experiencing hydraulic failure.

Zhou Guanyu spun while trying to steer the car through the worsening conditions. 

After all that happened, the Race Director decided to red flag the race.

The race resumed after a two-hour delay.  When the racers went back to the track behind the Safety Car, all were on full wet tires as mandated by race officials. 

At the end of the fourth lap, the Safety Car entered the pit lane with Verstappen controlling the restart and maintaining the lead against Leclerc and Pérez.

With the weather slowly improving, most of the racers changed to intermediate tires. Verstappen immediately went ahead of Leclerc, Pérez, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

The Dutchman crossed the checkered flag of the 28-lap race with a 27-second lead against the rest of the racers. The latest win also served as Verstappen’s 12th victory of the season.

“It's crazy,” Verstappen said. “I mean, very mixed emotions by first of all winning the race, but you know, looking back, now, of course, winning the championship… What a year we've had so far, it's been incredible. And something I could have never imagined happening after last year , [when we were> fighting until the end, and having such a good car again this year. So, I'm so thankful to everyone who has been contributing to the success, of course, the whole team who is here, but also back at the factory who is constantly working flat out… They're never missing any motivation to try and make the car faster. And besides that the work we've done together with Honda, all the way through, every year just constantly improving and to win twice with them, it's very emotional, especially also here, with everyone watching. It gives you a little bit more pressure, but it's good pressure, it's positive pressure. And so that's why I'm very proud, you know, that we could do it here.”

Below is how the 2022 FIA Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix ended:

1. Max Verstappen Red Bull 28 3:01'44.004
2. Sergio Pérez Red Bull 28 3:02'11.070 27.066
3. Charles Leclerc Ferrari 28 3:02'15.767 31.763
4. Esteban Ocon Alpine/Renault 28 3:02'23.689 39.685
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 28 3:02'24.330 40.326
6. Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin/Mercedes 28 3:02'30.362 46.358
7. Fernando Alonso Alpine/Renault 28 3:02'30.373 46.369
8. George Russell Mercedes 28 3:02'31.665 47.661
9. Nicholas Latifi Williams/Mercedes 28 3:02'54.147 1'10.143
10. Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 28 3:02'54.786 1'10.782
11. Daniel Ricciardo McLaren/Mercedes 28 3:02'56.881 1'12.877
12. Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 28 3:02'57.908 1'13.904
13. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri/Red Bull 28 3:02'59.603 1'15.599
14. Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 28 3:03'10.020 1'26.016
15. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo/Ferrari 28 3:03'10.500 1'26.496
16. Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo/Ferrari 28 3:03'11.047 1'27.043
17. Mick Schumacher Haas/Ferrari 28 3:03'16.527 1'32.523
18. Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri/Red Bull 28 3:03'32.095 1'48.091

• Carlos Sainz Jr. Ferrari 0 – Accident
• Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 0 – Accident

For his part, Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe congratulated Verstappen over the recent feat.

“I was super excited to see the moment you clinched the title in Suzuka with an overwhelming performance which represents your 2022 season. I am sure that fans are very pleased with this remarkable accomplishment. On behalf of Honda, I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to provide technical support for RBPT, contributing to this great victory," the HRC executive was quoted as saying.

Photos from Fédération Internationale de lʼAutomobile, Honda

Also read:

Max Verstappen claims first F1 Drivers' Championship title

Verstappen finishes first at Monza, claims 11th race victory

 Verstappen wins French GP, extends lead over Hamilton