Summary

  • Max Verstappen wins Japanese GP and secures second world title

  • Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finishes P2 on road but hit with five-second penalty after running wide at final chicane and drops to P3

  • Race ended after 28 laps of the scheduled 53 because of two-hour limit following earlier red flag

  • But full points were awarded - contrary to the expectations of most the in the F1 paddock

  • Verstappen leads Perez by 113 points - with a maximum of 112 now available

  • Anger among many drivers after a recovery vehicle was on track while Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly was driving at speed

Live Reporting

Lorraine McKenna

  1. Jennie Gow
    BBC Radio 5 Live pit-lane reporter

    This is the weirdest thing that has happened in my Formula 1 career. Max Verstappen is halfway through his interview talking to Johnny Herbert about having won the race and then all of a sudden they put up a massive graphic behind him saying he is a world champion.

  2. Even Max Verstappen is confused. He's sat on a red chair, jokes he feels lonely and is still none the wiser as to whether he is the 2022 world champion.

  3. Andrew Benson
    BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

    F1 has declared Max Verstappen champion after Leclerc is demoted to third place but it seems they have got it wrong. By my reckoning, he is 111 points clear and needs to be 112 ahead to be champion now. Unless I am mistaken.

  4. Calculators out everyone. It looks like the maths aren't quite in order here.

  5. Whoa... hang on. Have we all jumped the gun here?! Is Max Verstappen world champion for a second time?!

    Or not...

  6. Five-second time penalty for Charles Leclerc
    Breaking

    Very quick decision.

    Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is handed a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

    Sergio Perez is promoted to second place.

  7. There was an almighty scrap between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso in the fight for sixth place. The Aston Martin manages to just about swat away the Alpine in front of the passionate Suzuka fans.

    Meanwhile, the stewards are going to take a look at the incident between Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez...

  8. Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I don't think Charles Leclerc is going to be finishing second here. He's gone off and rejoined the track unsafely.

  9. Team radio - Perez

    "What are you doing mate. He went off then pushed me off."

  10. chequered flag

    Chequered flag

    Red Bull's Max Verstappen wins the Japanese Grand Prix!

    Drama at the final corner as Charles Leclerc struggles and Sergio Perez goes off the track! The Ferrari crosses the line in second and the Red Bull in third.

  11. Final lap

    George Russell's resistance is broken. Fernando Alonso takes the Mercedes driver's seventh spot.

    Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez are battling it out! The Ferrari is still in front but the Red Bull continues to push hard!

  12. Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Charles Leclerc's rear tyres look really old and tired now. Sergio Perez is cranking up the pressure on the back of Leclerc.

  13. Lap 28/53

    The Ferrari of Charles Leclerc is clinging onto this second place as Sergio Perez hunts him down.

    The clock has run out. Final lap of the Japanese Grand Prix!

  14. Lap 27/53

    The clock has turned red and that could spell a nervy end for George Russell, as two-time champion Fernando Alonso is creeping up on the Mercedes man at a rapid pace. Russell is in seventh, the Alpine in eighth.

  15. Team radio - Verstappen

    Verstappen: "We are not going to box for new tyres?"

    Red Bull: "Not at the moment."

  16. Lap 26/53

    Max Verstappen is way out in front and possess a 24-second lead over Charles Leclerc. Only two minutes to go.

    verstappenGetty Images

  17. Championship-winning moment?

    Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

    If Sergio Perez can overtake Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen has a good chance of coming in still leading the race and getting fastest lap.

    It could be a championship-winning moment. He could get it done today if he does that.

  18. Lap 25/53

    Squeaky bottom time for Charles Leclerc as the charging Red Bull of Sergio Perez is raging just behind. He pulls out again but nope, this is not the time the Mexican thinks and he slots back into third position.

  19. Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Pitting was worth the gamble for Fernando Alonso. Definitely not worth it if your name is Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez or Esteban Ocon.

  20. Five minutes to go

    Lap 25/53