F1 News
Windsor: "A fitting end for the 2022 championship"
- GPblog.com
Max Verstappen did not actually become the 2022 F1 champion until a few minutes after the finish. Charles Leclerc received a five-second penalty, which meant Sergio Perez took P2 and the Monegasque was dropped to P3. According to Peter Windsor, Perez contributed to Verstappen's second title.
Again important role for Perez in Verstappen's title
Leclerc was ahead of Verstappen's Red Bull Racing teammate all race, but at the final corner of the 40-minute Japanese GP, the pressure became too much for the Ferrari driver. Leclerc braked and cut the chicane. He received a time penalty for gaining from cutting the corner. According to F1 expert Windsor, it was to the credit of Perez who had saved his tyres very well and was the faster at the end of the race.
Windsor said in a YouTube video: "Checo lined up for attack on Charles and thus secured the title for Verstappen." That Verstappen has now become the champion in this way is apt according to the Briton: "You could say it's a fitting end to a day that sums up the 2022 championship; with a one-two for Red Bull." Indeed, Sunday in Japan was a tumultuous afternoon. The race started in wet conditions but was then halted for almost two hours. Ambiguity arose over the distribution of points.