Points distribution questioned after rain, crashes result in race completing just 28 pf 53 scheduled laps.
- Why Were Full Points Awarded?
- Verstappen Confused, but Gladly Accepts Title
- F1 Japanese Grand Prix
- F1 Points Standings
- Race-winner and now two-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen dominated proceedings after 28 of the 53 laps completed—equivalent to 52% of the scheduled race distance
- That led to confusion over whether or not reduced points would be awarded and in what manner, with the FIA having introduced a range of new structures after last year’s Belgian Grand Prix debacle.
- Verstappen crossed the finish line at the three-hour time limit believing reduced points were to be awarded.
Max Verstappen once again won a championship in a race likely to be talked about for years in Formula 1 circles.
And once again, it took a rules clarification to decide a race and a champion.
The F1 Japanese Grand Prix was stopped after the opening two laps—following a first-lap crash for Carlos Sainz—amid deteriorating weather conditions, with rain having fallen for 90 minutes prior to the start.
After a wait of two hours, and with only 45 minutes of remaining on the clock for the race window, the track was suitable for racing, but it was clear that the race would not be able to reach its full distance of 53 laps. That led to confusion over how points would be awarded and in what manner, with the FIA having introduced a range of new structures after last year’s Belgian Grand Prix debacle.
Verstappen dominated proceedings after 28 of the 53 laps completed—equivalent to 52% of the scheduled race distance—and crossed the line at the three-hour time limit believing reduced points were to be awarded. Charles Leclerc crossed the line second for Ferrari, ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, meaning that many believed Verstappen would have to wait for the next schedule race at Austin, Texas on Oct. 23 to clinch the title.
Max Verstappen takes the checkered flag at Suzuka.
Mario Renzi – Formula 1Getty Images
Even after the race ended, there was still uncertainty over the points structure, with people up and down the paddock expecting reduced points to be awarded.
Soon after the checkered flag Leclerc was handed a five-second time penalty for cutting the chicane on the final lap after locking up, and that demoted him to third, behind Perez.
With reduced points, it was insufficient for Verstappen to be champion, but with full points suddenly it was enough.
Why Were Full Points Awarded?
In the F1 regulations, the reduced points structure is only implemented in the event of a suspended race not resuming. As the race was resumed, full points were awarded—and still would have been. It was a small clause in the regulations that pretty much everyone in the paddock had overlooked.
Verstappen was duly informed that he was indeed the champion, sparking a somewhat delayed celebration.
Verstappen Confused, but Gladly Accepts Title
“For me, during the race I had no clue what they were going to decide with the points,” said Verstappen. “The main plan was to win the race but once I crossed the line I was thinking: ‘That was an amazing race, good points again but not world champion yet.'”
“Then, I was doing my interview after the race and suddenly my mechanics started to cheer and I was like: ‘What is going on?’ I realized that Checo (Perez) was second instead of Charles but I didn’t know if it was full points, half points, or 75% points because you’re reading through the rules.
“Then Tom (Wood, the FIA media delegate) came to me and said that I was world champion and then suddenly people were saying, ‘No you still need a point.’ “
“So it was a bit weird, but eventually we had enough points so then we were world champion again.”
Rain, low visability and a wet track led to early mayhem at Suzuka.
STRGetty Images
Red Bull boss Christian Horner conceded that “it’s a mistake that wasn’t included after the issues in Spa, they haven’t been mopped up, we were under the strong impression that only 75% points would be scored, so we thought we were going to be one point short.”
Whatever way it happened it was a fully deserved championship for Verstappen after an emphatic display at Suzuka in tricky conditions, in which he pulled 27 seconds on the field in just 23 laps of green flag competition.
“Max has been outstanding this year, after a couple of difficult races to start the year, the way the team bounced back, he has dominated this championship and today he was totally dominant,” beamed Horner. “I mean to put 25 seconds on Charles in 20-odd laps was a massive performance today, with Checo finishing second, fantastic as well, and for the constructors’ it’s big points as well. Delighted with the outcome and I think Max is a truly deserving champion.”
Results
F1 Japanese Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 28 laps
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull, +27.066 seconds
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, +31.763
- Esteban Ocon, Alpine, +39.685
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, +40.326
- Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, +46.358
- Fernando Alonso, Alpine, +46.369
- George Russell, Mercedes, +47.661
- Nicholas Latifi, Williams, +1:10.143
- Lando Norris, McLaren, +1:10.782
- Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, +1:12.877
- Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, +1:13.904
- Yuki Tsunoda, AphlaTauri, +1:15.599
- Kevin Magnussen, Haas, +1:26.016
- Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo, +1:26.496
- Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo, +1:27.043
- Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, +1:28.091
- Mick Schumacher, Haas, +1:32.523
- Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari, DNF
- Alex Albon, Williams, DNF
F1 Points Standings
Drivers
- Max Verstappen 366
- Sergio Perez 263
- Charles Leclerc 252
- George Russell 207
- Carlos Sainz 202
- Lewis Hamilton 180
- Lando Norris 101
- Esteban Ocon 78
- Fernando Alonso 65
- Valtteri Bottas 46
- Sebastian Vettel 32
- Daniel Ricciardo 29
- Pierre Gasly 23
- Kevin Magnussen 22
- Lance Stroll 13
- Mick Schumacher 12
- Yuki Tsunoda 11
- Zhou Guanyu 6
- Alex Albon 4
- Nicholas Latifi 2
- Nyck de Vries 2
- Nico Hulkenberg 0
Constructors
- Red Bull 619
- Ferrari 454
- Mercedes 387
- Alpine 143
- McLaren 130
- Alfa Romeo 52
- Aston Martin 45
- Haas 34
- AlphaTauri 34
- Williams 8
Keyword: Max Verstappen Wins Formula 1 Championship After Confusing, Shortened F1 Japanese Grand Prix