Verstappen wins in Japan – World Cup decision postponed

Created: 10/09/2022 10:16 am

Driving to victory in the Suzuka rain: Max Verstappen.

© Eugene Hoshiko/AP/dpa

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix in the rain chaos at Suzuka.

Suzuka - The Red Bull driver missed the early title defense for the second time in a row on Sunday because the full championship points were not awarded in the shortened race.

Second place in difficult conditions went to Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari ahead of Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull. However, a duel between the two drivers just before the finish line was still being investigated by the race stewards.

Sebastian Vettel drove his Aston Martin in sixth place, Mick Schumacher finished 18th in the Haas racing car.

After the 18th of 22 rounds of the season, Verstappen now has 360 points in the World Championship standings and is comfortably ahead of Leclerc (251) and Perez (247).

Mathematically, only Leclerc can prevent the Verstappens title with four remaining World Cup races.

If the defending champion has a lead of at least 86 World Championship points after the upcoming race in two weeks in the USA, the trophy can no longer be taken away from him.

dpa