After Ferrari competitor Charles Leclerc was given a five-second post-race penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen triumphed in the Formula One world championship for the second time amidst chaos.
Leclerc dropped from second to third behind Red Bull’s Sergio Perez after cutting the final chicane while defending against the Mexican on the final lap, giving the victory to the Dutch driver at Suzuka.
There was immediate uncertainty on whether full points had been granted following the abbreviated race due to the rain and whether the title would be decided at the US Grand Prix on October 23, however the regulatory authority of the FIA confirmed the victory.
With a pass on the last lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen stole the world championship from Lewis Hamilton the previous year. After the race, Mercedes lodged two protests.