Japanese Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Wins, Crowned 2022 Season Champion

 

Max Verstappen has been crowned the winner of the 2022 F1 World Championship title after winning the rain-shortened Suzuka race for a one-two podium finished for Red Bull.

Initially, there was confusion over whether the decision on the title should be shifted over to the next Grand Prix following the disruption to the race caused by rain spell as the race completed only 29 out of 53 scheduled laps, but there was no need for that as Charles Leclerc was given a second penalty that ruined his efforts to hold on to the fight for the title. 

The rules are interpretated a little different in Japan as it hold that reduced points can only be awarded only if the race was suspended and can not be completed. To that effect, Verstappen can have it all in Suzuka regardless. 

As maximum points of 25 was given to Verstappen despite the race doing lesser than scheduled laps, he was effectively crowned the champion for the second time in a row. Sergio Perez climbed a point above Charles Leclerc in drivers standings having finished second in Japan. 

However, becoming a two-time champion started off last season with a fierce contest with seven-time f1 champion, Lewis Hamilton and clinched the world title for the first time in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. It was the first time that Mercedes would lose the F1 driver title to another team and it was the first ever for Red Bull in thirteen years.