In Suzuka Max Verstappen wins the Grand Prix and becomes world champion for the second time in a row. Let's relive the best moments.
Despite the rain it is standing start: the Japanese GP will start as per the regulations. Leclerc has a great idea but Verstappen lengthens the braking in turn 1 and maintains the leadership of the race, while Perez you take the stand on Sainz. In the middle of the first lap, the red number 55 goes on the wall and brings out the safety car.
The moment of calm allows you to recover what happened at the start: even Vettel, Gasly, Zhou and Albon. The German is hit by Alonso, the Frenchman picks up a billboard with his AlphaTauri (and takes advantage of the forced stop to mount the full wets) and the Chinese is the protagonist of a spin. No errors, however, for Albon, who surrendered to a mechanical problem.
After a lap behind the safety car, the management decides to stop the race and brings out the Red flag. Returning to the pits, Gasly complains of a crane on the runway: a scene that we have already seen in Japan and that we would have liked never to see again. An hour of interruption and then it starts again with a rolling start: the conditions are not optimal but better than before. Verstappen stands in front while Hag e Latifs, already at the bottom of the group, try the gamble of the intermediate tyre.
The risk pays off and everyone returns to the pits to mount the green compounds. Everybody except Schumacher e Zhou, who are hoping for a safety car to reduce the stop time. Leclerc, second, sets the best time but moves further and further away from Verstappen, while Perez approaches the Monegasque.
Finish the countdown e Verstappen wins the race and the world championship! Leclerc ends in front of Perez but it comes penalized by five seconds for cutting the last chicane. Red Bull thus conquers another double and the second drivers' title in two years.
Ocon closes a fantastic fourth ahead of Hamilton and a surprising Vettel. Alonso finished seventh ahead of Russell, while Latifi took the opportunity to finish ninth and win the first two points of the season. Norris closes the top 10 ahead of teammate Ricciardo, then Stroll, Tsunoda, Magnussen, Bottas, Zhou, Gasly and Schumacher.
