Show only key events Please enable JavaScript to use this feature Emma Kemp Horner is now speaking out and declaring that Verstappen is “on another level”. “For Honda to win this too – here too – we’re really grateful for their support in previous years and as a supplier this year,” he says. “It takes everything to achieve the results we have. It’s unexpected, we didn’t think we had the points today, but wow, unbelievable.” Emma Kemp Paul Mazel writes. Wasn’t the organization wrong to not take into account the reduced points? You might have thought so, and the Red Bull team certainly did. Once the match was over, they were busy searching the rulebook to check if the restart of the match did indeed mean that full points were awarded. No one seemed sure in those first five minutes after the match. Updated at 09.34 BST Emma Kemp The champagne has popped and everyone and everything is having a spray. “It’s crazy,” says Verstappen. “Very mixed emotions, first of all to win the race, to look back now at what time I had so far, it was unbelievable. Something I could never have imagined would happen after last year… I am so grateful to everyone who contributed to this success. The work we’ve done together with Honda all the way, constantly improving quickly to now win twice, it’s very emotional. Especially when everyone here is watching. It’s a little more pressure, but good pressure. “I think the first one is always a bit emotional, but the second one is even more beautiful with the season we’ve had … it’s something you really have to remind yourself of because you don’t get those years very often.” Emma Kemp All three drivers stand on the podium. Verstappen, despite having been ready for this moment for months on the back of that five-game winning streak from France, is still in disbelief. Not sure if this is an anti-climax or just keeping up with the craziness that was today. This is his 32nd career win and second world title. Updated at 09.30 BST Emma Kemp In between Verstappen’s two interviews – the first which was scheduled and the second which was not – Perez had this to say: “It was a bit hectic with Charles, good race, I tried to make a move and he locked up and went away. The penalty was fair.” Updated at 09.30 BST Emma Kemp The broadcast cameras followed Verstappen to the back and he is confused. “To have or not to have?” I hear different things,” he says. He is confirmed, and shown to a throne room and seated in front of a “World Champion” banner. “I feel a little lonely,” he says. The key here is that because the fight went on even though it didn’t go the distance, full points could be awarded. Updated at 09.30 BST Emma Kemp That means Verstappen has a 113-point lead in the championship with just 112 points to go. Verstappen didn’t know that when he crossed the line and there was a strange moment when he was interviewed after the race and he said “it would be great to win it here but we have a good chance in the next race”. He was called back for another discussion, much to everyone’s surprise. Updated at 09.31 BST
Verstappen wins the F1 title!
Leclearc has been given a five-second penalty for running off the track and gaining an advantage. This means his and Perez’s positions are reversed and Red Bull go 1-2 today with Leclerc in third.
Verstappen wins the Japanese GP!
It wasn’t a classic, marred by rain and reduced gear, but Verstappen does what he’s done all season. He crosses the finish line before anyone else, nearly 26 seconds ahead of Leclerc, who holds off a strong late challenge from Perez. They almost come into contact in the last lap, but sanity prevails and both remain unscathed. The marshals may look at their final corner as Leclerc went through the loop lane and perhaps cut a corner. Did he push Peres off the track?. Ocon was superb keeping Hamilton at bay to take 4th after a long battle. Alonso finishes 7th after pitting smartly and moving up several places in just 3 laps. It was wild. It was messy. But it was fun while it lasted. 1.5 minutes left: So about one lap. Leclerc keeps Perez at bay in the battle for 2nd place. In the battle for 4th, Ocon stayed ahead of Hamilton. He did great under pressure. Vettel alone in 6th is leading a lonely race, as is Verstappen first to take 19 points as we have just passed a new mark in terms of race completion percentage. 3 minutes left: Not much now. Leclerc is in 2nd, doing his best to keep Perez behind him. He does a great job, to be fair to him. Alonso on the new tires is chasing Russell in 7th but is not sure he will have enough time. Hamilton is still swinging behind Ocon. We also haven’t gone through enough laps for a full amount of points. Verstappen will take 13 for the win. 5 minutes left: Perez catches Leclerc. Red Bull are chasing their 5th 1-2 of the season. Alonso, who pitted, has already passed Norris for 9th place and is chasing Latifi. Leclerc comes out in defense and offers Perez a flurry, but the space is closed. This will be a grandstand finish. Hamilton is still trying to overtake Ocon. I’m not sure he will. As I type Alonso passes Latifi. Wow. Shows the difference new tires make. 7 minutes to go: Zhou, 17th, on fresh tires, has just set the fastest lap. It shows what a new pair of boots can do for those struggling with faded tires. Hamilton is right behind Ocon but still can’t get past 4th. Perez is less than a second behind Leclerc. My guess is he’ll pass him within a lap or two. Alonso’s pitch. We have completed 23 rounds. It interests you. 9 minutes left: For those asking about laps, I honestly have no idea. We’re down in a few minutes as it’s a timed race. I’m guessing there are about 4/5 left. 10 mins: Perez beats Leclerc by a second a lap. According to the graphics, he will be within striking distance in 2 rounds. It’s for 2nd place. Updated at 08.54 BST 12 minutes to go: Some drivers have pitted, but none of them are fighting for points. Heading for the much-needed new tires would push those in the spots to an empty load. Hamilton is desperate for 4th but Ocon won’t budge. He was able to shake off the Brit and has more breathing room than he has had in the last 3 rounds or so. Maybe this is it. Or maybe Hamilton is waiting for one last shot. Russell made another stunning move, turning outside of Latifi. It’s up to the 9th. 14 minutes to go: Leclerc still holds the fastest lap. Peres may be on the mend soon. He’s about 3.5 seconds behind, but he’s getting close. Great defensive work from Ocon. Really good driving. It’s as close as Hamilton got. 18 minutes left: It will be 13 points to win. Leclerc would have to drop 5 places for Verstappen to win the title here. All but the race leader seem to be struggling with their front tyres. However, Leclerc more than most, but will not want to pit. Hamilton could reach out and touch the back of Ocon’s car in 4th, but he just doesn’t have the speed. Every time he puts himself in a position to overtake he can’t make it stick. 20 minutes to go: 10 seconds now separate Verstappen in first and Leclerc in second. Five seconds back is Perez, but both 2nd and 3rd ease their pace, opting to keep their tyres. Russell completed a stunning move past Tsunoda, taking the outside of an arcing corner. He likes himself. “It was a nice move,” he tells his team. It was. Well done George, you are in the 9th grade. 22 minutes remaining: Tire changes may be required. There are estimated to be 13 rounds left. Almost everyone has problems with their front tires. Perez and Leclerc – who was 1.4 seconds slower than Verstappen on the last lap – have taken their foot off the gas. No one will want to put a pit. Ocon holds off Hamilton who doesn’t have the straight speed to pass, but keeps pace. That’s for fourth place. Updated at 08.42 BST 24 minutes to go: What sport. Now that the track is drying out in places, it looks like some drivers will have to treat their tires and therefore lose time. Russell is within walking distance of Tsunoda. Straight line speed (an ongoing problem for Mercedes this year) is not enough. 26 minutes to go: Russell prepares to pass Tsunoda. This is a battle for 10th place. Hamilton is less than a second behind Ocon. Verstappen pulls away from Leclerc, that gap is now over 6 seconds, almost 7 in fact. 28 minutes to go: Schumacher is bleeding places. It has fallen to 10th place. Verstappen and Lecelerc are currently running 2 seconds a lap faster than anyone else. They are “in a league of their own”, as the commentators just put it. Hamilton, however, is at 1.45 and is running almost as fast as the leaders. He is 5th and looking at Ocon. Ocon overtakes Schumacher in 4th place. Hamilton tries to capitalize and gets a dart. He goes out on the last corner. Schumacher is the only one out there with full wets and it’s telling. It slides down the order. Good move by Hamilton. So we are dealing with minutes, rather than laps. 32 to go. Verstappen ahead. Lecelerc 4 seconds back. Hamilton is up to 6th. It’s all so chaotic. Our live stream continued, but we’re back. Hard to know how the rain plays out. Stay with us. We’ll figure it out together. Meanwhile, Vettel and Latifi, who immediately pitted for the intermediate tyres, almost met in the pit lane, however, and the stewards flagged a potentially unsafe release. No extensions, though. Teamwork is being done with Perez acting as second driver to make room for Verstappen. He doesn’t even seem to be trying, at speed. The track has definitely dried out in places. Yet…
