Last season, the Formula One championship was decided on the last lap of the last race under hugely controversial circumstances. A late safety car helped Max Verstappen narrowly defeat Lewis Hamilton to clinch his first F1 title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This season, the defending champion is putting together one of the most dominant stretches in the history of the sport. With a sublime performance in the Japanese Grand Prix over the weekend, Max Verstappen clinched his second F1 championship in as many years – and there are still four races to go.
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Verstappen led Sunday’s race at the Suzuka Circuit from start to finish. However, he didn’t believe he secured the championship until he took the podium. The chaotic race was stalled due to rain and only ran 28 of the planned 53 laps. This resulted in confusion as to how many points would be awarded in a race that did not complete the full distance. F1 rules state that limited points are awarded when a race is red-flagged and cannot continue. The Japanese Grand Prix was red-flagged, though it continued to a conclusion on track. Thus, full points were awarded.
After a modest start to the season, Verstappen won 11 of 16 Grand Prix, finishing off the podium just twice. With 12 wins on the season, the twenty-five-year-old driver needs one more win to tie the single-season record held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.
The 2022 F1 season continues with the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas on October 23. The final three races will take place in Mexico, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi.
Lastly, in case you missed it, Aaron Judge Breaks American League Record with 62nd Home Run.
