Japanese Grand Prix 2022 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Max Verstappen clinched his second consecutive World Championship with victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, sealing the title with four races remaining after a wet and controversial race at Suzuka. The Red Bull driver controlled proceedings from pole position, managing treacherous conditions brilliantly to claim his 12th win of the season. Sergio Perez completed a Red Bull one-two finish, with Charles Leclerc classified third for Ferrari after the podium ceremony, though he was later handed a five-second penalty that promoted him to second.

The race was dramatically interrupted by a heavy crash on the opening lap when Carlos Sainz aquaplaned off the soaked track at the notorious 130R corner, collecting the barrier. As Sainz's Ferrari was being recovered, Pierre Gasly's AlphaTauri approached the accident scene at full racing speed in poor visibility, passing perilously close to the recovery vehicle and crane on track. The incident sparked major safety concerns and controversy, with drivers furious that a tractor had been allowed on track while cars were still running at racing speeds, echoing the 2014 incident at the same circuit that had claimed Jules Bianchi's life.

After a red flag period of over two hours, the race restarted in improved conditions. Verstappen controlled the remainder of the 28-lap race to take victory. Zhou Guanyu set the fastest lap for Alfa Romeo. The championship was confirmed after the race when Charles Leclerc received a five-second penalty for cutting the chicane, promoting Perez to second and giving Verstappen an unassailable points lead. The Dutchman became just the seventh driver to win back-to-back World Championships, joining the exclusive company of Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Jack Brabham, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, and Sebastian Vettel.