Max Verstappen secured his second Formula One Drivers’ Championship in the early hours of Sunday morning with victory in the first Japanese Grand Prix since 2019.
The Dutchman started the race from pole position and after a delayed start to the race due to the wet conditions at the Suzuka circuit, he powered to victory ahead of Red Bull Racing team-mate Sergio Perez, who inherited second place after Charles Leclerc was handed a five-second time penalty for missing the final chicane on the last lap of the race.
Despite the race being shortened due to the delayed start and Carlos Sainz’s dangerous lap one crash, full points were awarded to the confusion of those watching. A clause in the FIA’s rule book ensured that because the race resumed after its suspension, full points were handed out, meaning Verstappen was confirmed as the 2022 F1 world champion.
The controversy surrounding the race didn’t end there with outrage over the FIA’s decision to deploy a tractor on the circuit while cars were still on track after Sainz’s collision with the barriers. After Jules Bianchi’s death in a similar scenario back in 2014, the FIA have been heavily criticised for this decision, especially considering the poor visibility due to the immense amount of spray around the track.
In fact, the late Bianchi’s father took to social media to slam the FIA for the decision to deploy the tractor. He posted on Instagram: “No respect for the life of the driver, no respect for Jules’ memory. Incredible.”
AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly was catching up with the pack under safety car conditions, and the Frenchman sped past the tractor where Sainz lost the rear of his Ferrari. Had Gasly lost control of his car like the Spaniard did, then a collision with the tractor and therefore a tragedy could’ve occurred.
The Frenchman expressed his anger over team radio, shouting: “God! What the?! What is this tractor?! What is this tractor on track? I passed next to it. This is unacceptable! What has happened? I can’t believe this.”
GPblog’s UK Editor-In-Chief Matt Gretton believes the FIA’s decision to allow a tractor onto the circuit with cars not yet in the pits was a “disgrace.” He exclusively told ParkLife Sport: “It was a ridiculous thing to have on the track, the FIA should be learning these lessons. Without requiring an investigation we know it shouldn’t be happening. But we do need to investigate what went wrong, whether it was a language barrier, a misunderstanding or someone made the wrong call.
“[Pierre] Gasly was going too fast, he should be slowing down because even past the tractor he carried on going over 200kmh, but that’s not the overriding thing when there is a tractor on track. With Jules Bianchi we should be more mindful of these things.”
For the second season running, Verstappen’s title win was overshadowed by the FIA after his 2021 victory was marred by controversy given decisions made by former race director Michael Masi.
However, unlike last season when the title went down to the final lap, Verstappen can put up his feet and relax with four races left and only a Constructors’ Championship left to wrap up.
