The Dutch driver’s Japanese Grand Prix victory, which came in a rain-marred event, was his 12th of the season.
The Red Bull driver was declared winner of the rain-shortened race amid confusion over rules governing the awarding of points in the rain. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the sport’s governing body, determined that full points, rather than the partial points teams had expected, could be awarded since the race was resumed after a two-hour delay, despite being ultimately cut short.
The delay in the FIA’s final determination left Verstappen, who won his 12th race of the season, initially believing the championship would have to wait until next weekend’s race in Austin. “The championship obviously did not come the way this time around,” he said,His skepticism continued even as his crew swarmed to hug him, with drivers figuring that only partial points would be awarded for the race.
Verstappen had started from the pole in pouring rain, but the race was quickly suspended because of a crash involving Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. Cars were running behind the safety car before the recovery vehicle was released onto the track. Drivers questioned why the recovery vehicle was out with the track so slippery andthe matter. Two hours later, the race was resumed but only 28 of 53 laps were completed, with Verstappen leading all the way.
Still, Verstappen was one of the last to realize he’d won the title, repeatedly asking despite being crowned champion, “have I or have I not [wrapped up the title]?” during another post-race interview,With confirmation, he sat down in front of a “world champion” banner, with his second championship crowning a dominant season that marked a transition in the sport.
Last December, Verstappen edged Lewis Hamilton for the championship in even more chaotic and controversial circumstances, denying Hamilton his record eighth title by overtaking him on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. During that
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