Verstappen dominates Japanese GP to retain F1 world championship

SUZUKA: Max Verstappen won the rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, retaining his Formula One world championship in a dramatic manner.

Red Bull driver Verstappen was awarded the title only when his closest competitor Charles Leclerc was demoted to third place by a five-second penalty.

Verstappen clinched the title for the second time in a row after a dominant season in which he has won 12 of 18 races, including six of the last seven.

The outcome at Suzuka gave Red Bull driver an unassailable 113-point lead in the current championship, becoming only the third driver after Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel to claim the title with four races to spare.

Ferrari’s Leclerc had finished second on the track, keeping the title race alive, but cutting a circuit in the final circuit took a toll on his ambitions as he was awarded a five-second penalty, thus he and Pérez swapped positions.

“We’ve been absolutely on it, the whole year. A season where we had a difficult start but kept it cool, bounced back and never let go,” expressed Verstappen on his official Twitter account after victory and thanked his fans for their support.

READ: Aliya, Muneeba star as Pakistan thrash UAE in Women’s Asia Cup