Verstappen dominates wet Japanese Grand Prix and wins 2022 F1 title

There was a delay and red flag period of over two hours because of heavy rain in Japan. The race resumed with around 45 minutes left on the three-hour clock. This allowed the new points system to come into play that was designed following the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix. 50% of the race was completed and therefore Verstappen scored 19 points. 

Esteban Ocon and Lewis Hamilton engaged in a brilliant battle on the circuit. Hamilton looked to try an overtake at 130R a number of times but couldn't make the pass. Down the home straight, the Mercedes driver didn't have the straight line speed. Leclerc and Perez also had a brilliant battle in the final few laps of the race. Though Leclerc cut the final corner and might have to hand the place back. 

Ocon finished fourth, ahead of Hamilton. Vettel and Alonso rounded out the top six. 

More of the same

As had happened in Singapore just one week ago, the Formula 1 race started in wet conditions. Teams and drivers had some practice with these conditions as Friday was also a washout in Japan. Just half-a-tenth separated the top three in Saturday's qualifying session. Verstappen started from pole with Leclerc leading the two Ferrari drivers on the grid. All drivers selected to the intermediate tyre for the standing start. 

Verstappen had a poor getaway but he kept his toe down longer going into the first corner. He took the outside line and stayed ahead of Leclerc. Sebastian Vettel, who reached Q3, was the first driver to spin. In sector two, Sainz crashed hard into the wall and was forced to retire from the race. Alex Albon retired from his second race in the space of one week, this time with a gearbox issue. The safety car came out but it wasn't long before the FIA red-flagged the race due to the worsening rain. 

During the red flag period, it became clear that a tractor emerged on the circuit whilst under safety car conditions. Pierre Gasly had pitted and was driving quickly to catch up with the pack, but a tractor suddenly appeared. Gasly got called to the stewards for driving too fast, but many F1 drivers were furious about how this tractor was allowed on track. 

Restart

After a stoppage of over two hours, the FIA confirmed that the race would restart at 4:15pm local time with just over 45 minutes left on the race clock. When the safety car came in, Vettel and Latifi dived in for the intermediates. Norris and Bottas opted to do the same for running without spray. 

Only three minutes later did the leaders opt to pit. Most teams double stacked including Red Bull. Leclerc had to wait for Perez to drive by giving Verstappen a bigger gap on the circuit. Verstappen regained the lead with 32 minutes remaining. Leclerc worked his way through to second place but that was the only advances he made. After that, Verstappen blasted away whilst looking after his intermediate tyres.