via Imago
Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen
via Imago
Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen won his second championship title at the Japanese Grand Prix. It was an anticipated victory that turned into a triumph amidst chaotic circumstances. Once again, Verstappen’s championship title is surrounded by controversy.
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The Japanese Grand Prix was fraught with complications. A race that was supposed to last two hours was cut down to 40 minutes as it was already delayed due to heavy rain and water on the tracks.
Charles Leclerc held off Max Verstappen’s championship title claim, to begin with. Leclerc defending his second place would have complicated matters for the Dutchman. However, his teammate Sergio Perez gave a good fight to the Monegasque.
In the end, the stewards awarded Leclerc a five-second penalty for cutting corners in the final lap, which catapulted Perez to P2. Perez’s outstanding performance sent Twitter fans ablaze with admiration.
Checo is a legend 2.0 🤘 pic.twitter.com/z0zFyCSdXx
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 9, 2022
CHECO JUST HELPING MAX TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN, THE REAL GOAT
— 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙖 | CHECO KING OF STREET CIRCUITS (@whosdaniiela) October 9, 2022
"checo! checo! checo!"
well deserving cheers to our minister of defence💙 pic.twitter.com/dI4fJMd8Wl
— conni | MAX🏆🏆 (@VERCAPLESS) October 9, 2022
“average second driver” Sergio Perez lasted the same amount of time in a championship battle as “title contender” Charles Leclerc
— k 🧬 (@kamisotoo) October 9, 2022
Checo Perez winning Max Verstappen another championship, he's the goat, it's incredible pic.twitter.com/QtFB9mcLsY
— anderzon (@kazanderzon) October 9, 2022
Verstappen is so good. Deserved world champion. Got to say tho, the work checo does to help him is massively underrated
— Burgo (@jackburgomaster) October 9, 2022
2021: Checo holds Hamilton up in Abu Dhabi to give Verstappen an advantage to win the title.
2022: Checo forces Leclerc to cut the Chicane, and that seals Verstappen's second title.
Checo is one of the greatest wingmans in F1 history, second to Rubens Barrichello! https://t.co/TKAXStnMjo
— Jerome Chisikwa (@JeromeChisikwa) October 9, 2022
Well said! Verstappen would have had it so much more difficult if Checo wasn't there
— Kaetje 🌈 (@Kaetje) October 9, 2022
BESTEST wingman, #2, ministry of dense EVER!! 💯👏🏼 https://t.co/65cSoKLMmu
— Issa Neri Paguidopon (@yzagurl) October 9, 2022
Again @SChecoPerez is instrumental in the Championshipdecider by battleling for 2nd place. @Max33Verstappen and Checo Perez are the perfect teammates @redbullracing https://t.co/03UwE5Mv5K
— Patrick (@ZegmaarPatrick) October 9, 2022
Didn’t think of this earlier. But Checo did help him once again! Awesome! #ChecoIsALegend #F1 #VerstappenWorldChampion2022 https://t.co/ouMlsO4GgG
— KitekidX (@KitekidX) October 9, 2022
The F1 community swooned over Perez and Verstappen’s impeccable partnership, which arguably won Verstappen the title.
READ MORE: “We Needed One More Point”: Max Verstappen & Red Bull Boss Open Up on Puzzling Championship Result
It is truly heartwarming to see such a wholesome yet competitive pair, who only support each other through their sportsmanship.
Max Verstappen stunned by his own unexpected victory
Even after crossing the checkered flag ahead of everyone else, Max Verstappen was sure he did not clinch the title today. Due to the race being cut down to 40 minutes, it was not certain whether they would award full points for the race.
But it came as a pleasant surprise to know that full points were given. Max Verstappen was suddenly announced as the world champion in the middle of the post-race interviews.
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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 REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
It was a phenomenon that surprised the Red Bull driver himself. “I am not [World Champion], am I? Are you sure?” asked a flabbergasted Verstappen after being told of the results.
A flurry of joyful embraces and cheers followed this among the Red Bull team and Max Verstappen. Despite the confusion and chaos surrounding Verstappen’s victory, it was an exciting moment and an even more captivating race at Suzuka Circuit.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Not Ricciardo Nor Perez, Max Verstappen’s Greatest F1 Teammate Revealed
The season might be over for 2022, but there are still races to win. And we are sure every driver and team on the grid would agree.
