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Verstappen, two-time champion between confusion and a race of fear and risk in Japan

Again in Japan and again a crane crosses the path of Formula 1 and generates a scene of panic and bad vibes. Eight years ago, a fatal accident caused the Monegasque driver Jules Bianchi to die some time later when his car hit a crane that had gone onto the track to remove an accident car. The scene was close to being repeated with Pierre Gasly this morning in Suzuka. It was a risky Sunday due to the intense rain and the conditions of the track. And also a day of confusion, unbecoming of F1: Verstappen, who won the race shortened to thirty-five minutes and 28 laps, did not know at the end of the test if he was world champion or not. After a few minutes, the FIA ​​made his success official: world champion again, by revalidating last year’s title.

The rain caused a tumultuous start at the Japanese Grand Prix. A lot of water and a lot of risk for the pilots. situation that led to the carlos sainz accident on the second lap by going over a puddle and going off the track.

The Spaniard was left in a compromised situation because his Ferrari occupied half of the track on the asphalt. The rest of the cars passed him by a hair and the risk was evident.

But worse was the moment for Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman from AlphaTauri, who has been announced as Alonso’s substitute in Alpine, was delayed because he started from the garage lane and when he passed through the area of ​​Carlos Sainz’s accident found a truck operating with the Ferrari.

Gasly’s anger at stopping the race with a red flag was monumental. «But what has happened? I have played my life», he told his team.

The pilots sided with Gasly, when it was announced that he would be investigated for exceeding the speed limit while passing through the accident. Sergio Perez assured: «Isn’t it clear that we never want to see a crane on the runway?». And the same Vettel. “Next time they should let us know if there’s a goddamn tractor on the track.”

In social networks, the father of Jules Bianchi, Philippe. “There is no respect for the life of the pilot. There is no respect for Jules’ life. Incredible”.

Following the death of Jules Bianchi, the International Federation (FIA) decided to create an element that has so far saved the life of a pilot, the halo that protects athletes’ heads.

With the race paralyzed for almost two and a half hours due to the incessant rain, Max Verstappen did not know what to expect if he was world champion or not when less race time was held (just over thirty minutes before the three regulation hours), since that in theory the distribution of points is less.

In the 28-lap mini-race held before the power went out in Japan, Verstappen put on a show in the now moderate rain and on intermediate tyres. A walk by the Dutchman who had no opposition and in which there were many fights, Leclerc and Checo Pérez, Alonso vs Russell and Vettel. Nice show for a tough day in which the Spaniard finished seventh.

The conclusion of the grand prize was comical. Verstappen asked people if he was world champion or not, if they knew the distribution of points, or if he should wait for Austin. In the end, the Dutchman is champion because the FIA ​​considers that the race is over and Charles Leclerc was sanctioned with a five-second penalty for a maneuver with Checo Pérez.

Verstappen could not celebrate the title with the fans going around the track, but he waited a while until he knew that the numbers did give him the championship. Unfortunate and lackluster, although the value of the championship is not lost in any way because the Dutchman has been the total governor of the season.

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