Max Verstappen has officially been crowned the 2022 FIA Formula One World Champion after steaming ahead at the Japanese Grand Prix, taking his second title. ย Max becomes the second-youngest driver in Formula 1 history to attain two championships, at the tender age of 25 years and nine days. Sebastian Vettel was only nine months younger when achieving his second title.
Max Verstappen was immediately questioned on the possibility of a third title in 2023 stating the following:
โItโs going to depend on the coming years,โ said Verstappen, of Red Bull. โWe have a really good group of people who work really well together, so itโs about keeping them together, and if we do that then we can achieve a lot.
โOf course, if I have a competitive car, Iโm confident we can keep this going. It also depends on what the competition is going to come up with, but I really believe in this group, and I really hope in the coming years we can enjoy a lot more wins and potentially, of course, championships.โ
Max had the opportunity to take the title at the Singapore Grand Prix, but kept us on our tows until the Japanese Grand Prix. Perhaps on homage to the Honda brand that powered Red Bull Racing for many years.
The Japanese Grand Prix was shortened after weather delays and new regulations meant that points could be limited as a result of the shortened race. In the end, Verstappen was awarded 25 points for his victory and enough points to secure his second title.
โWinning the race was great, but I wasnโt sure if we were going to have half points, full points, no clue,โ he said. โOnce I crossed the line, I was like, โOK, that was an amazing race. Good points again, but not world champion yet.'”
โIt was a little bit confusing initially, but once the confirmation came out, it doesnโt matter,โ he said. โI actually quite enjoyed the confusion. It was quite funny.โ
The victory at the Japanese Grand Prix was Red Bullโs 14th of the season, the most it has achieved in one year, and its 17th consecutive result in which one of its drivers has finished in the top two.
Team Principal Christian Horner said this victory was far easier to digest than in 2021. โThis is far less controversial than the last race in Abu Dhabi,โ he said. โA championship win is a championship win, and I think this one, the blood pressure is way lower than in Abu Dhabi, but it means just as much.
โTo do it with four races remaining is a truly remarkable performance, and Max has been on another planet this year. He has dominated this championship and driven with such maturity, such conviction.โ
This victory was Max Verstappen’s 12th win out of 18 Grands Prix and a deserved world title.
