Video
Formula 1 Japanese GP
How did Verstappen win the title? F1’s points confusion explained
Max Verstappen clinched his second Formula 1 world championship by winning Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, but just like his first crown in Abu Dhabi last year, this was not without controversy and confusion.
Edited: Oct 12, 2022, 1:54 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The red flag delays for heavy rain meant we only got 28 laps of racing action at Suzuka before the three-hour time limit expired, with Verstappen crossing the line first.
It was only in parc ferme he found out he was champion when the FIA handed Charles Leclerc a post-race penalty – yet most thought the points gap was still not big enough.
But thanks to a quirk in F1’s regulations that was an unintended consequence of changes made after last year’s Spa washout, Verstappen had enough of a points gap and had won the championship without even realising.
So why did the Japanese Grand Prix award full points despite barely reaching half distance at Suzuka? In this video, Autosport F1 Reporter Luke Smith runs through the points confusion, the rules that changed and why team bosses are already planning changes in the future.
Read Also:
- F1 teams admit they overlooked points "loophole" after Suzuka confusion
- Ten things we learned at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
- FIA confirms Red Bull, Aston Martin breached F1 cost cap rules
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Red Bull 'surprised, disappointed' by FIA F1 cost cap breach verdict
Next article The "kick in the teeth" that proved Mercedes’ deeper F1 car problem
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
Latest news
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 1 h
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
2 h
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
2 h
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
8 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe