The question is no longer who will win the championship, but when Max Verstappen will be crowned. Finally, in the rain, in Japan, with four races remaining in the season, the 25-year-old driver sealed his second title in two years.
Posted at 7:11 am
It has been known for weeks that the season belongs to the Red Bull driver; He had won 11 of 17 races before heading to Suzuka this weekend. To be crowned champion on Sunday, he needs to win by eight points over his close friend Charles Leclerc in Ferrari.
This is exactly what happened, but under very strange circumstances. First, because the race ended in just 28 laps due to terrible weather conditions. Then, because Verstappen’s championship wasn’t confirmed until a few minutes after the race.
The Dutchman did his post-victory F1 interview as usual, giving way to third-placed team-mate Sergio Perez.
As he prepared to question the Mexican, the host invited Verstappen to come on camera. He said Leclerc was penalized for a maneuver in the last corner on the last lap, when he was trying to…