Search

Listen Live

On Air Now

Midnight - 2:00am

Midlands Today - Repeat

Noelle Shevlin

Other Side Of The Hill

Verstappen Crowned World Champion In Suzuka

Monday, 10 October 2022 11:44

Confusion reigned at the end of a rain interrupted race.

Max Verstappen is the 2022 Formula One World Champion after winning a rain hit Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

He beat Sergio Perez into second.

Charles Leclerc dropped from that place to third, handing the Dutchman the world title, after he was penalised by the race stewards for going off the track on the final lap.

Lewis Hamilton finished 5th, George Russell 8th and Lando Norris 10th.

There was confusion about whether or not Verstappen was the champion. 

A misreading of the rule book led to an initial pay out of diminished points because the race did not complete the full distance.

When it was established that the rule only applied to races that could not be restarted, it was determined that full points were to be paid and the 25 year old Dutchman was crowned world champion.

Former F1 world champion Damon Hill says Max Verstappen thoroughly deserves to retain his title:

Earlier, drivers were furious a recovery vehicle was on the track before all the cars were back in the pits.

French driver Jules Bianchi died from injuries in a crash at the Suzuka circuit eight years ago when he lost control of his car and hit a tractor winching another car off the circuit.

Share

More from Sports

Download Our App

Never miss a moment from Midlands 103