Max Verstappen Wins 2022 Formula 1 Title After Impeccable Race at Japanese Grand Prix

• Max Verstappen had a fairytale return of sorts to Japan after he raced to a dominant win t win a second successive Formula 1 title
• Verstappen bagged the world title with four games to spare after he attained an unassailable lead over his closest challenger Charles Leclerc
• The race was interrupted by heavy rainfall at the Suzuka circuit after only three laps but even that could not dampen Verstappen's destiny

Max Verstappen put in a dominant performance to win the Japanese Grand Prix and a second Formula 1 title on Sunday morning.

The title decider looked set to be postponed to the next Grand Prix in the United States after Charles Leclerc finished second. However, the Ferrari driver was given a five-second penalty for straying off the line towards the end.

The race was marred by controversies and challenges from the start. Heavy downpour forced the race to be interrupted after just three laps.

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After the resumption, Verstappen put in a domineering performance to finish the race with more than 26 seconds on the second-placed finisher.

Following Charles Leclerc's penalty, Verstappen has now attained an unassailable lead on Leclerc and is thus a double world champion.

Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon were eliminated in the first round after crashing out with the rainfall affecting the visibility of the drivers.

A red flag was then introduced, forcing the drivers to go back to their pits. After a delay that lasted for over an hour, the race resumed, with many drivers opting to go for intermediate tyres.

Verstappen raced through for a comfortable lead leaving his teammate Sergio Perez to battle it out with Leclerc for second place. Leclerc finished in second but was penalised for getting off-track just before the finish line.

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Verstappen now defended his world title successfully after that controversial win last year.

Lewis Hamilton to wait longer as FIA delays 2021 title decision

Sports Brief had earlier reported that the wait goes on for Lewis Hamilton to find out if he is an 8-time World Champion.

The British driver could be handed the 2021 title if Red Bull are found guilty of cost cap breaches and Max Verstappen has points deducted from his total last season.

Verstappen finished only eight points above Hamilton after winning the final race of the season, the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.