FIA-sco for Max Verstappen's F1 title again - 2022 Japan GP Review

Congratulations to Max Verstappen & Red Bull Racing! 

But did the FIA mess up another title-winning race & season for Max Verstappen? It seems that only the FIA knew what rules were in play, which apparently, seem to have been a loophole they didn't know they had written!

What does Max Verstappen need to do to win a title cleanly? WHAT IF the 2022 Japanese GP was a title-deciding race between Verstappen and Charles Leclerc? Oh yes, LEC made a mistake under pressure, lest we forget.

Other topics in this episode - Esteban Ocon vs. Lewis Hamilton, why could Hamilton not overtake? And why this battle is what Formula 1 should be like. Why was Fernando Alonso displeased despite a strong race full of overtaking moves on track? Also, welcome to the points for Nicholas Latifi. Tune in!

(Season 2022, Episode 61)

Follow our hosts: Sundaram Ramaswami, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

* **Introduction:**

- Max Verstappen is the newly crowned Formula One World Champion.
- However, the FIA's handling of the Japanese Grand Prix led to confusion and controversy.
- Verstappen was awarded the championship title prematurely, causing disappointment among fans.
- The race was also marred by safety concerns, including a tractor on the track during a red flag period.

* **Key Points:**

1. **FIA's Handling of the Race:**

- The FIA's communication regarding the awarding of points was unclear, leading to confusion among teams and fans.
- The rulebook contained a loophole that allowed for full points to be awarded despite the race not reaching the required distance.
- The FIA's decision to start the race under wet conditions and their subsequent delay in suspending the race were also questioned.

2. **Verstappen's Championship Title:**

- Verstappen's championship win was anticlimactic due to the confusion surrounding the points allocation.
- The premature announcement of his title victory by Johnny Herbert added to the disappointment.
- Verstappen's dominance throughout the season was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the Japanese Grand Prix.

3. **Safety Concerns:**

- The presence of a tractor on the track during a red flag period posed a significant safety risk to drivers.
- The incident brought back memories of Jules Bianchi's fatal accident at the same circuit in 2014.
- The FIA received criticism for allowing such a dangerous situation to occur.

4. **Other Race Highlights:**

- Esteban Ocon's impressive defense against Lewis Hamilton, preventing him from overtaking.
- Fernando Alonso's strong performance, making several overtaking moves before finishing in the points.
- Nicholas Latifi's first-ever points finish in Formula One.

* **Conclusion:**

- The Japanese Grand Prix was a chaotic and controversial race, marred by the FIA's handling of the event and safety concerns.
- Max Verstappen's championship win was overshadowed by the confusion and disappointment surrounding the race.
- The incident with the tractor on the track served as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in Formula One.

**2022 Japanese Grand Prix Debrief: Controversy, Pandemonium, and Confusion**

The 2022 Japanese Grand Prix was a chaotic and controversial race, marred by confusion over the rules and regulations. Max Verstappen secured his second Formula One World Championship title, but the race's conclusion left a sour taste in many fans' mouths.

One of the main issues was the FIA's handling of the safety car procedure. After Carlos Sainz Jr.'s retirement, the safety car was deployed, and the race was red-flagged due to heavy rain. However, when the race resumed, only the cars that had lapped the safety car were allowed to un-lap themselves, leading to confusion and frustration among the drivers and fans.

Another point of contention was the decision to award full points despite the race being stopped before the 75% mark. This decision benefited Verstappen, who was leading the race at the time of the stoppage, but it was seen as unfair to other drivers who had been battling for positions.

The race also saw several exciting battles, particularly between Esteban Ocon and Lewis Hamilton. Ocon, in the Alpine, defended his position against Hamilton in the Mercedes, showcasing the wheel-to-wheel action that many fans crave. Fernando Alonso also had a strong race, making several overtaking moves before expressing his frustration with Alpine's strategy.

In the end, the Japanese Grand Prix was a bittersweet moment for Formula One. While Verstappen's title win was a significant achievement, the controversies and confusion surrounding the race overshadowed the celebration. The FIA's handling of the situation has raised questions about the consistency and fairness of the sport's regulations.

**Key Points:**

- Controversy over FIA's handling of safety car procedure and awarding of full points.
- Exciting battles between Esteban Ocon and Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso's strong performance.
- Confusion over rules and regulations, leading to frustration among drivers and fans.
- Questions raised about the consistency and fairness of Formula One's regulations.
- Overall, a bittersweet moment for Formula One, with Verstappen's title win overshadowed by controversies.