MAX VERSTAPPEN WAS declared Formula One world champion Sunday after winning a dramatic rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s Verstappen crossed the line first and he was then awarded the title when second-place finisher Charles Leclerc was given a five-second penalty, dropping him to third.
The result gave Verstappen an unassailable 113-point lead in the championship, making him only the third driver after Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel to clinch the title with four races to spare.
Ferrari’s Leclerc finished the race second in front of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, but he was hit with a penalty after squeezing Perez wide and leaving the track in a late surge for the line.
Verstappen was informed he had retained his title midway through the post-race TV interview, and even the driver himself was not sure if he had sealed the deal.
“It’s a crazy feeling of course as I didn’t expect it when I crossed the line,” said a shell-shocked Verstappen.
“Was it going to be half points? I didn’t know how many points I was going to get. I was happy with the race we had.”
The race got off to a chaotic start in heavy rain, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Williams’ Alex Albon exiting on the first lap prompting a safety care.
A red flag soon followed and forced the drivers to wait for more than an hour before the action restarted, again under a safety car.
Verstappen resumed with a lead over Leclerc and Perez, and extended it as conditions gradually improved.
Verstappen has won 12 of 18 races in 2022 and thanked his team for an “incredible” year.
“The first (championship) is a little more emotional, the second one is beautiful,” he said.
“It’s been a special year, and you need to remind yourself as these kind of years you don’t have very often.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said Verstappen had “grown” as a driver.
“Carrying that number one this year, he’s done it with a lot of pride,” he said.
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Lets do this Russia!
Sacrificing a normal shape to crowbar Rooney into the team.
He doesn’t like playing form players, Sterling there to get Rooney in the team.
Dier, Ali and Rose wouldn’t have been in the team one year ago so he clearly does pick players based on form.
England hopefully get smashed twice in one day!! A
Crazy not to start Vardy against Ignashevich and Berezutski.theyd shite themselves against him
Rooney’s goals got them there , what had Lallana, Sterling , Henderson Wilshere done to get a place in the squad never mind the team
Kane,Vardy , Ali weren’t even there for the first year of the campaign so in fairness Rooney does deserve his spot
In that position though?? A little unfair on those who have excelled there, Rooney has not….
England are notoriously slow starters so I’m going to go for Russia 2 England 1.
They’re usually quick finishers tho
Who in that midfield tonight has excelled there ??
Mark, they probably set him up for all his goals, did you think Rooney went hardcore Messi/Ronaldo and did it himself? I am not saying Rooney does not deserve to be there, just do not understand the selection, does feel like he was shoehorned into a position…. Fair to him and England??
Also, Lallane improved a lot under Klopp, and has played well for England, Hendo, Sterling, not so much……
Does Lallana go if he’s still at Southampton? No! Cause he’s and average player that Rodgers bought and going because he now plays for Liverpool now , same with Henderson , Roys old club !
Lallana was there at last world cup as a saint….. Your argument is rubbish….. Again, I am not against Rooney being there, just not in that position…. Your turning this into Man U v Liverpool….. Like that miserable Hoof….
I also did say Hendo or Milner do not deserve to be there…… You guys cannot handle anything that maybe even .001% negative against Man U…. Grow up….
How is it Rubbish ! Hes had 20 International game and hasn’t scored once yet
And i think it was you that started making comparisons between Utd and liverpool .
Where did I start that? I said maybe Drinkwater deserves to be on the field, and Rooney was put in an position that he normally does not play in, suggesting he is selected based on reputation. Never said Rooney does not deserve to be there, just not in that position….. You and Hoof started rolling out the names of players on other teams….. Again, Man U defence forces….. Cannot handle it…..
You were clearly disappointed that you couldn’t comment on the de Gea story why was that ?
That was more an observation with Cosmo on how the Journo handles stories and what it allows…..that was also on a different article, nothing to do with this…. For the record, would be happy if Rooney proved me wrong, I have zero interest in seeing Russia win, I find them an extremely racist nation….. I do not think Roy picked his best squad….
Look Sahko failed a drugs test its news, de gea name has been mentioned in a spanish newspaper and in relation to an on going court case . Therefore you can not have an open comment section, because its heresay and there could be legal repercussions. You also hinted at him being guilty as you found it strange why Madrid had apparently cooled their interest all of a sudden. So any reaction you got was probably deserved .
But I slso think Roy has not picked his best team
Think Rooney lallana and walker have been excellent. Kane has been really poor
Did Sakho fail a drug test, or did UEFA cock up? I suppose being a fan of your club, Sakho was also a major drug addict, fair enough, your a Man U fan…. For me, I find it funny Real apparently give up on The goalie this week of all weeks…..but you all had your say when Sakho was tried and executed, even though in the end he did nothing wrong… UEFA are investigating there own procedures now, and said no further action will be brought against Sakho….. Because you know, he did nothing wrong….. Back to the game, Kane has been invisible…. Sturridge or Vardy?? I would also take of Sterling, he has no end product, and Walker has done well getting the ball in the box….. Russia look like they feel they can nick a goal now too….
Mark, the fact that its also an ongoing court case, not good….. Of all Man Utd players, I like De Gea, he never gives up the fight, even when the ball has passed him, he still tries everything in his power….
You lads watching the game or just typing rubbish the whole way through.
Fitting Rooney in for the sake of it….. Rubbish….. Drinkwater should be ahead of him…. Name ahead of merit……
I agree, I would have played Alli behind Kane and Vardy with 3 holding midfielders Dier, Wilshire and a drinkwater. Rooney should not be undropable and apart from the back for misplaced loyalty to Rooney could be Hodgesons downfall.
Also, keep him away from corners…. They never recovered control of that media satellite…..
Roy’s right.
Vardy will get found out at this level.
Lumping the ball into space for the centre forward to run on to might be OK at Leicester but at international level it’ss primitive football.
Wayne Rooney is the fulcrum of the English team, the Captain.
Raheem Sterling should not even be in the squad.
“Might be ok at Leicester” Cal? Leicester are the PL champions or have you forgotten already?
Sloop, you bit…..
Well, after watching the game if you feel like arguing about my prediction on Sterling I’d be quite happy to accommodate you.
Absolutely clueless.
And Rooney was the best player on the pitch by a wide margin.
Rooney played good, Lallana and Kyle Walker also had good games…… Nobody was great…..
Clueless? A bit like yourself then Cal?
Vardy should start hope they get beat good birthday present for the queen
до России
Sterling ha ha ha. Hodgson you funny bollo.
Ha happy birthday cmon the Russians
Same old story for England. Concede last minute equalizer. Another night of rioting in Marseilles to come.
Yeah…. Bad recipe, all drunk singing about the queen…… Now angry…… Against superior race Russian fans….. Explosive……
What about sturridge..no stur..no goal
Rooney shouldn’t be in that team. Vardy and Kane up front, pick players on form. I actually wouldn’t mind seeing England do well though, although those fans……….