Charles Leclerc penalized by 5 seconds, hands the title to Max Verstappen!

There it is, Max Verstappen was crowned double world champion after the Japanese Grand Prix. While it was not really in doubt that the Dutchman would end up being crowned this season, he owes this early triumph to an error by Charles Leclerc.

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Max Verstappen is a two-time Formula 1 World Champion. An announcement that came as a shock to everyone, including the man himself. But the facts are there, and the Red Bull driver can thank his rival Charles Leclerc for handing him the title on a silver platter this Sunday.

We are not talking here about the numerous mistakes or failures of Ferrari (sometimes from the Monegasque himself) throughout the season, but about an event that took place during the race in Suzuka. While Charles Leclerc crossed the finish line in second place, between the two Red Bull drivers, which indicated that Max Verstappen would have to wait at least until the next Grand Prix in Austin to be crowned, the FIA decided otherwise.

The Monégasque driver indeed received a 5-second penalty after the race for cutting the final chicane during a defensive move against Sergio Pérez, while the Mexican was pushing hard to secure second place.

Although car 16 (Charles Leclerc) did not gain any positions when going off the track, it was nevertheless considered to have gained a lasting advantage. This decision takes into account the numerous driver briefings where race directors indicated that an “advantage” would be considered gained if you go off track and return in the same position while defending. There have been a number of precedents this year, especially Guanyu Zhou in Saudi Arabia and Fernando Alonso in Miami », the FIA states in a statement.

This sanction didn’t really please the boss of the Scuderia, Mattia Binotto. As for the FIA and today’s penalty, I have very little desire to comment (on the decision). I think it’s ridiculous and unacceptable.

The boss of Ferrari has commented on the 5-second penalty given to Sergio Perez last weekend in Singapore: « During the last race, it took them an infinite number of laps to make a decision that, by the way, doesn’t make much sense. While today, in a few seconds, they made a decision that makes little sense to us. »

Mattia Binotto did not however indicate whether he intended to appeal the decision of the FIA, which therefore seems unlikely at this point.

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