Formula One: Max Verstappen clinches second world title in Japan

Max Verstappen of Red Bull has won the Japanese Grand Prix and was also awarded his second Formula One world championship title after his closest rival was handed a penalty.

Governing body FIA said full points had been awarded for the rain-soaked race, even though the race was suspended at one point due to the weather.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc — Verstappen's nearest challenger for the world championship — was handed a five-second penalty after the race for cutting a corner in the final chicane. The penalty saw Leclerc demoted from second to third place, giving Verstappen an unassailable lead in the championship.

An unexpected victory

There was initially some confusion among spectators and team members after the race at Japan's Suzuka circuit.

This was because it was originally assumed that reduced points would be awarded for the event, as rain interrupted the race for some two hours, leading to drivers completing less than 75% of the distance.

The deciding race between Verstappen and Leclerc was expected to be the United States Grand Prix later this month.

Verstappen himself was only informed that he had won the world championship midway through his post-race TV interview.

"It's a crazy feeling because I didn't expect it when I crossed the line," the Dutch driver said.

Wet weather halts race

The race got off to a chaotic start with heavy rain, with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz crashing on the first lap due to aquaplaning.

Organizers stopped the race after the second lap, forcing drivers to wait more than two hours before the competition resumed.

However, a recovery tractor appeared on the track before the other drivers could return to the pits, prompting controversy.

In 2014, Jules Bianchi's car slid off the same track in similar weather conditions and collided with a recovery vehicle. He died after spending nine months in a coma.

"I still don't know why we keep risking, in these conditions, having a tractor on track," Sainz said. "You were going to red flag it anyway, so why risk it?"