Incredible turnaround: Verstappen is consecutive champions, Leclerc’s penalty gives him the title

The evolution of racing at the Suzuka track was dramatic. That Grand Prix It lasted three hours and finally gave Max Verstappen the title.

Let’s take things from the beginning. The race initially only lasted three laps after Saint’s accident combined with rain sent drivers and cars into the pits for around two hours.

When the race restarted, Verstappen pulled forward and managed to take the win. But since he didn’t have the fastest lap, it wasn’t enough for him to win the title.

Leclerc finished second with Perez third after a long battle. However, the marshals decided that the Monegasque cut back in the final chicane. So they punished him with a five-second penalty, which sent Perez into second place and crowned Max Verstappen as world champion for a second year.

Where was victory decided?

In a race with special conditions like the one in Japan, it was natural that everything in a race would be judged on details and strategy.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull decided to jump in to change tires almost immediately after the restart, they passed the Ferrari, Leclerc joined the Dutchman and so the world champion stayed on top and drove to victory.

The match phase

We could put the fight at the start or Carlos Sainz’s accident before the race was abandoned, but the people at the Suzuka track don’t allow us to race anything.

It was criminal what they did to the crane, which in these weather conditions with visibility of a few meters came onto the track well ahead of the red flag.

Especially since a man had lost his life on this route under these conditions a few years ago by falling onto a crane.

Yes, it’s easy to blame Gasli, who seemed to be speeding, but the red flag came two seconds before he passed the crane, meaning he was already on track.

What’s next

The Formula 1 World Championship continues in the USA and special. The three-day period begins on October 21 with free practice. Qualifying tests will take place on Sunday October 9th at 13:00 (Greek time). at 22:00 o’clock the race.