‘Have I or have I not?

Max Verstappen is a world champion for the second time with his victory at the Japanese Grand Prix.

It was always a case of when and not if Verstappen would confirm the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship, but no one quite thought it would happen this way.

He claimed victory in a rain soaked Japanese Grand Prix, however there was confusion as to whether he had actually won the title.

There were only 28 laps completed in Suzuka but full points were awarded as the race was resumed after a red flag had caused a delay of over two hours.

“Have I or have I not? I am hearing different things,” he said after being shown to a throne room and sat down in front of a ‘World Champion’ banner.

“I feel a bit lonely,” he added.

Verstappen was then told he was not actually World Champion after initially it was thought only half points were on offer.

His title was eventually confirmed when teammate Sergio Perez was promoted to second after the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc has penalised for gaining an advantage having run off the track at the final corner, with full points awarded.

“It’s crazy,” Verstappen said. “Very mixed emotions, first of all winning the race, looking back now at what a year I’ve had so far, it’s been incredible.

“Something I could never have imagined happening after last year … I’m so thankful to everyone who has contributed to this success. The work we’ve done together with Honda all the way through, constantly improving rapidly to win now twice, it’s very emotional. Especially with everyone here watching. It’s a little bit more pressure, but good pressure.

“I think the first one is always a little emotional but the second is even more beautiful with the season we’ve had … it’s something you really have to remind yourself of because these kinds of years you don’t have very often.”