Max Verstappen managed to clinch this year's Drivers' Championship title after winning a shortened Japanese Grand Prix, which was subjected to lengthy delays due to heavy rain, according to media reports.
The Dutchman claimed the end-of-season honours after Charles Leclerc, who crossed the line in second place, was given a retrospective five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage as he tussled with Sergio Perez on the final lap.
The wet conditions forced a two-hour stoppage when the race was red-flagged just three laps after the original start time. A chaotic opening lap saw Carlos Sainz spin out and Alex Albon suffer a mechanical failure, while Pierre Gasly was left furious after coming close to striking a recovery vehicle that he was unable to see ahead of him due to the non-existent visibility.
The race eventually got back underway after a delay that lasted for more than two hours, with Verstappen producing a near-faultless performance to claim yet another victory after pulling away from Leclerc and Perez with ease.
He initially looked set to be denied the title until the United States Grand Prix later this month, but Leclerc's post-race penalty handed the end-of-season honours to the 25-year-old to spark wild celebrations in the Red Bull garage.
