Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won his second Formula One world championship on Sunday amid scenes of confusion after Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc collected a five-second post-race penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Dutch driver won the race at Suzuka, with Leclerc fending off the Mexican on the last lap to drop from second to third behind Red Bull’s Sergio Perez on the final chicken bite.
There was immediate confusion as to whether full points were awarded after the rain-affected short race and whether the title would go to the US Grand Prix on 23 October, but the FIA ​​governing body confirmed the title had been won. .
“It’s a crazy feeling because I didn’t expect it when I crossed the line,” Verstappen said of his second consecutive crown.
Last year, Verstappen took the world championship away from Lewis Hamilton with a pass on the last lap of the Abu Dhabi GP. Mercedes filed two protests after the race.
“It’s just crazy, I mean, my goal when I was younger was to be a Formula One driver and go for the win, be on the podium,” Verstappen said then. “When they play the national anthem you want it to be yours and when you’re standing here and they tell you you’re the world champion, it’s incredible and something special.”
