October 9, 2022 will be remembered as the day when Max Verstappen won his second F1 world title, at the mythical Suzuka in Japan, in the rain, the consecration was exciting until the end and everything was defined on the last lap of the race.
I have mixed emotions about winning the race, it was a fantastic year, we got a great car this year, from the factory, the work we did with Honda over the years I am very happy to win it here in Japan.
Said Max upon confirmation of his second title
A partner who fought to the end
If Max was to win the race, he needed Leclerc to finish third or lower. And thanks to Checo who pushed Leclerc to the limit of his performance, causing a five-second penalty for the second Ferrari driver, leaving him in third place, to confirm that Verstappen has won the drivers’ title.
The dramatic points reversal means Verstappen heads into the United States Grand Prix, and the final four races of the season, with an unassailable lead over Perez and Leclerc, confirming him as champion.
In the rain, the consecration was not long in coming
The race originally started as scheduled at 14:00 local time, with Verstappen fending off Leclerc after a close race at Turn 1, and only two laps were completed before the action was red-flagged amid heavy spray and a series of incidents – which included Carlos Sainz crashing out.
A lengthy delay followed, with the overall three-hour race limit, and the two-hour window came into effect an hour after the initial start, while Race Control waited for a suitable gap in the weather to get the action back on track.
An unbeatable year for the Dutch driver
The first championship was very exciting, the second was very nice because we achieved great results, we have to enjoy it because these good years are not always repeated.
Concluded Max in his words as a champion
They say that to be a legend it is necessary to consolidate the legacy; that was what Max achieved this year, far from the controversies that happened in 2021 against Hamilton and Mercedes, the superiority of Red Bull with its RB18 that was unbeatable on track, Verstappen proved that he is the best driver of today, consecrating himself despite his youth as a legend of motorsport.
In many occasions that something is defined so quickly is not so attractive, however, the next four remaining races will close a quiet season at times, which left good feelings for what is to come in the future of F1.
@wil-walteros Source: F1 Oficial
