Suzuka [Japan], October 9 (ANI): Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing clinched his second Formula one championship as he received a restarted Japanese GP race at Suzuka after Charles Leclerc of Ferrari was penalised for chopping the chicane on the ultimate lap whereas defending from different Red Bull racers, Sergio Perez.
A dramatic late penalty for Leclerc helped Verstappen win the race and clinch his second title. The star racer heads to United States Grand Prix and closing 4 races of the season with an enormous lead over his rivals Perez and Leclerc, with him at 366 factors and Perez, Leclerc at 253 and 252 factors respectively. This confirms Verstappen’s standing as a champion of the continuing season.
The race acquired underway at 1400 native time. But a prolonged delay occurred, with the three-hour race restrict ticking down. Two-hour window got here into drive after the preliminary begin.
With 50 minutes left to race on clock, the Safety Car carried out a rolling begin. And the pack of vehicles was launched, compelled to run wets, moderately than having the selection to make use of intermediates.
Verstappen defended from Leclerc after a detailed run to Turn 1. Only two laps have been accomplished earlier than the motion acquired red-flagged amid intense rain and different incidents, which additionally noticed Carlos Sainz of Ferrari crashing out of the race.
There was large confusion about whether or not full or partial factors might be awarded for the GP which noticed solely 29 laps out of 53 being accomplished. Regardless of full or partial factors being awarded, Leclerc ending second would have denied Verstappen the title. But his closing lap error led to him being handed over a five-second penalty that noticed him pushed again to the third spot behind Perez.
The race was threatened by controversy, as an preliminary try to begin throughout heavy rain resulted in chaos, with Carlos Sainz crashing into the barrier, earlier than a restoration tractor got here on monitor earlier than the race had been red-flagged, with the vehicles nonetheless on the circuit.
Race Standings: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing), Sergio Perez (Red Bull Racing), Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), Esteban Ocon (Alpine Renault), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), Fernando Alonso (Alpine Renault), George Russell (Mercedes), Nicholas Latifi (Williams Racing), Lando Norris (Williams Racing). (ANI)