After taking his first world title at the end of a controversially managed Abu Dhabi GP, Max Verstappen was confirmed as world champion for the second consecutive year at Suzuka.
Even on this occasion, however, the confusion was great. The Red Bull driver, the real ruler of the race, crossed the finish line celebrating the victory as one of the many successes obtained this season but only when he reached the interviews was he warned that he had got his hands on the second title.
The 5 second penalty imposed on Charles Leclerc immediately after the checkered flag, with which the Ferrari driver is relegated to third position behind Sergio Perez, and the assignment of full points were the factors that allowed Verstappen to close the games arithmetically on the Honda track.
“It’s crazy, I’m experiencing mixed emotions when I think about what happened in the race. We have lived a truly incredible season, a season that I could never have imagined ”. These were the first words of a Verstappen still incredulous for the result obtained.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
The two-time world champion wanted to thank his team for making a technically perfect single-seater available to him for the second year in a row and he also dedicated a thought to Honda, a fundamental partner for the Milton Keynes team.
“I am truly grateful to everyone who contributed to this success. Last year we fought until the last race and again this year we had a really competitive car. I want to thank all the staff present both on the track and in the factory without ever stopping and without ever losing motivation ”.
“With Honda we have done a great job every year, constantly improving. Now we have won twice together with them and it is exciting to have succeeded here in front of their fans. There was more pressure, but it was positive. I am very proud to have managed to win the title at Suzuka ”.
Obviously, there was no shortage of questions about which title was most felt, whether the first won at the last race at the end of an intense season or the second overwhelmingly obtained.
“I think winning the first title was more exciting, but the second is probably even better for the way it came. We have achieved many victories, many double goals. We are also at the head of the Constructors and we want to take him home ”.
“It was a special year and it is to be remembered because these are not seasons that happen often”.
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