It was an anticlimactic tale which saw Redbull’s Max Verstappen crowned as champion for the second time in his F1 career.
The race at Suzuka could not complete its course because of rains and the red flag when Carlos Sainz crashed his car in the first lap. The race restarted with the Safety Car and due to the two-hour race limit only 28 laps of the 53 could only be completed.
With visibility greatly impaired, racing was very cautious from drivers and some drivers showed their displeasures on the Suzuka track where some drivers had lost their lives due to dangers of racing in wet conditions. When the conditions improved, Verstappen got into his groove and was gradually dropping the rest of pack but Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc did not want to concede the championship to the Dutchman without a fight.
Max Verstappen took the checkered flag with Leclerc crossing the line second followed by Redbull in third.
After the race, Charles Leclerc was given a five-second penalty because he cut a chicane and it ultimately affected the race and championship in Redbull’s favour. The time penalty dramatically saw Verstappen become champion for the second time and Sergio Pérez climbing up to second at the end of the race and Leclerc settling for third.
Various teams will now continue in their battle for valuable points in the fight at the constructors’ championship.
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