via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japan – October 9, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race and the championship on the podium as third placed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc looks on REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japan – October 9, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race and the championship on the podium as third placed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc looks on REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
It was not a matter of if but rather when for Max Verstappen. Coming into the Japanese GP, the Flying Dutchman enjoyed a commanding lead of 103 points over arch-rival, Charles Leclerc. Therefore, he had a realistic chance of wrapping up the world title in Honda’s backyard, if he won the race with the fastest lap point.
Although Max couldn’t get the fastest lap point, he has still been crowned the world champion. He has his teammate, Sergio Perez, to thank for it, like last year.
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Last year, we saw Checo defending for his life against Lewis Hamilton to help Max to his maiden title. This year, he took the race to Charles Leclerc to help Max double the count of his WDCs.
Sergio Perez wasn’t able to pass Charles Leclerc in the race. But, a 5-second time penalty for the Monegasque driver saw Checo being promoted to P2. This penalty was given to Charles for going off the track in the last corner and gaining an advantage in his battle with Sergio Perez.
Neither team boss, Mattia Binotto, nor his fans have taken this news well. Mattia Binotto, speaking to Sky Italy, said, “How fast FIA took the decision to sanction Leclerc is ridiculous and unacceptable. Last race it took them an infinite number of laps to take a nonsense decision. We will protest in the appropriate offices.”
Also Read: Max Verstappen Takes Second Dramatic Championship as Confusing Rulebook Sends Fans in a Frenzy
The Fans have also not held themselves back when it came to giving their take on the whole issue.
F1 Twitter enraged after Charles Leclerc gets handed a 5-second time penalty
Fans around the globe want to see drivers fight for the championship till the very last race. But Charles Leclerc’s penalty meant that Max Verstappen was the world champion. Let’s see how fans on Twitter reacted to that.
Wow, Ferrari team principal Binotto to Sky Italy:
“How fast FIA took the decision to sanction Leclerc is ridiculous and unacceptable.
Last race it took them an infinite number of laps to take a nonsense decision.
We will protest in the appropriate offices”#JapaneseGP
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) October 9, 2022
Last news @ScuderiaFerrari to protest the 5 second penalty for @Charles_Leclerc #JapaneseGP #Formula1
So @Max33Verstappen is now again provisional #Worldchampion says #F1TVpro
— Patrick (@ZegmaarPatrick) October 9, 2022
@Charles_Leclerc go to the race direction to apologize, it works in this way,isn'it? They Will remove the penalty very soon
— Hamiltonswife (@LoveisFirework) October 9, 2022
On about silverstone, where perez forced leclerc wide and overtook him. On about, yesterdays quali, where verstappen tyres were reason enough not to give a penalty, but todays charles tyres were irrelevant to penalty.
— CalebtheCannibal (@GregandLarryB99) October 9, 2022
#Formula1 give @Charles_Leclerc a 5sec penalty so cheating”Bull” get a 1-2 finish at the home of the engine supplier #F1xed and new WDC….🤦🏻♂️💩#SuzukaGP
— Matt™ (@Matt_lynch_) October 9, 2022
Fuck the maFIA. FIABULL. ITS BEEN MANIPULATED. THAT WAS SO NOT RIGHT?! If I never got that 5 second penalty, I heard I would’ve been given back 111 points so that Max and I were joint at the top. So. Thanks FIA. 😐
— tunnel charles lescare 🤡 (@ChcrlesLeclerc) October 9, 2022
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The penalty for @Charles_Leclerc was absolutely unnecessary considering the rate conditions and "intensity" of the championship. I mean, they have missed bigger decisions than this!!. It is getting boring…..
— jonfisher (@jonfisher12) October 9, 2022
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WATCH THIS STORY: Max Verstappen: ‘Is my title tarnished? Not at all. I really deserved it’
The end to this championship battle might not have been ideal for Charles Leclerc but he will eventually raise his hand and accept that Max Verstappen deserves it. What do you guys think about the penalty handed to Charles Leclerc?
