Japanese Grand Prix

Round 18 of the 2022 season comes from Suzuka, Japan · Max Verstappen leads after three laps after a wet race start · The race has been red flagged due to ...

Rain had been forecast for Sunday throughout the weekend, and started falling around an hour before the start of the race at 2pm local time in Japan.

In a marathon Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, Sergio Perez’s victory was only assured hours after the race due to a stewards investigation. A testing return to the Singapore Grand Prix in tricky conditions created plenty of hazards and mistakes for the Formula 1 drivers to fall into. After seemingly being stuck in limbo at AlphaTauri - too good to let go, but not a realistic prospect for a Red Bull return - Pierre Gasly has finally shaken off the shackles to join Alpine.

'I could have killed myself,' Gasly fumed as he spoke to his pit wall with the race restart delayed.

He told Sky Sports: “It is totally unacceptable. it is extremely dangerous. We lost a life in this situation years ago. I know we’re under Safety Car, but in turn 12, there’s this…” The FIA issued a statement on the location of the recovery vehicle: “In relation to the recovery of the incident on Lap 3, the Safety Car had been deployed and the race neutralised. This is unacceptable.

Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring.

Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-freeMax Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022(L to R): Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri; Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Aston Martin, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Nicholas Latifi, Williams, Suzuka, 2022Alex Albon, Williams, Suzuka, 2022George Russell, Mercedes, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, Suzuka, 2022Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Suzuka, 2022Esteban Ocon, Alpine, Suzuka, 2022Fernando Alonso, Alpine, Suzuka, 2022Red flag, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Race start, Suzuka, 2022Carlos Sainz Jr, Ferrari, Suzuka, 2022Sergio Perez, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Suzuka, 2022George Russell, Mercedes, Suzuka, 2022Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, Suzuka, 2022Lando Norris, McLaren, Suzuka, 2022Alex Albon, Williams, Suzuka, 2022Kevin Magnussen, Haas, Suzuka, 2022Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, Suzuka, 2022Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, Suzuka, 2022Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, Suzuka, 2022FIA Safety Car, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Suzuka, 2022Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Suzuka, 2022Nicholas Latifi, Williams, Suzuka, 2022Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, Suzuka, 2022Red flag, Suzuka, 2022Red flag, Suzuka, 2022Red flag, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Suzuka, 2022Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, Suzuka, 2022Mick Schumacher, Haas, Suzuka, 2022Sergio Perez, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, Suzuka, 2022Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, Suzuka, 2022Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Suzuka, 2022Kevin Magnussen, Haas, Suzuka, 2022Lando Norris, McLaren, Suzuka, 2022Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, Suzuka, 2022Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022FIA Safety Car, Suzuka, 2022FIA Safety Car, Suzuka, 2022Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Sergio Perez, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Esteban Ocon, Alpine, Suzuka, 2022Kevin Magnussen, Haas, Suzuka, 2022Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Suzuka, 2022Race winner Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme. Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-freeMore images will be added hereF1 pictures2022 Japanese Grand Prix in pictures2022 Japanese Grand Prix qualifying day in pictures2022 Japanese Grand Prix practice in picturesFirst pictures from the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix weekend2022 Singapore Grand Prix in picturesView more F1 pictures2022 Japanese Grand PrixRate the race: 2022 Japanese Grand Prix‘We lost Jules because of this mistake’: F1 drivers condemn use of crane in wet race2022 Japanese Grand Prix in picturesJapanese Grand Prix halted after two laps in heavy rain“Unacceptable”: F1 drivers furious after passing crane on track at SuzukaBrowse all 2022 Japanese Grand Prix articlesAuthor informationKeith CollantineLifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Written by Keith CollantinePictures from the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.Advert

Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz led Formula One drivers' questioning of a decision to send a recovery vehicle out at the Japanese Grand Prix while cars were ...

It read: “The Safety Car had been deployed and the race neutralised. Stewards will review the matter after the race. Jenson Button said: “From an emotional point of view, there is no need to put something else on track that could cause a worse incident. “I still don’t know why we keep in these conditions risking having a tractor on track. Even behind the safety car,” he told Sky F1. You were going to red flag it anyway, so why risk it.”

Two drivers went out of the race after first-lap troubles, Carlos Sainz losing control of his Ferrari and sliding into the wall at the right-hand kink out of ...

He was able to keep going, but dropped significantly down the field. Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu also failed to get the power down properly on the exit of the hairpin at Suzuka, being sent into a spin as he looked to get back on the throttle. The AlphaTauri driver was furious in the garage after the race was red-flagged, most likely through shock as much as anything else, but the angriest moment he had, understandably, came when he came close to a recovery vehicle on the edge of the track while heading back around to the pit lane when the race was red-flagged.

Gasly was close to a recovery vehicle which entered the track too early after a red flag at Suzuka, sparking tragic memories of the crash that killed Jules ...

"There will be discussions at the next race [Austin] as to why that recovery vehicle was allowed on track," said the British-Thai racer. As conditions were deteriorating, the Red Flag was shown before Car 10 passed the location of the incident where it had been damaged the previous lap." Philippe Bianchi, the father of Jules, took to social media to vent his anger after seeing the close call. And fans were given a worrying reminded of that tragedy at the race on Sunday, which was red flagged after the first lap. It was at this very circuit eight years ago that his Marussia smashed into a recovery vehicle working at the side of the track, and he sadly died in July the following year, nine months after that crash. Fortunately, Gasly avoided making any contact with the recovery vehicle and made it back to the pits safely.

The French driver is set to start the Japanese GP at Suzuka from the pitlane after AlphaTauri made the call to change his rear wing ahead of the race. After ...

Our car works well in the wet, so I think that these conditions would be best for us.” Due to this breach of parc ferme regulations, Gasly will start the race from the pits. “As the rear wing assembly is a different specification and was changed whilst the car was in parc ferme and the suspension setup has also changed, the competitor is required to start the race from the pit lane per article 40.9 b) of the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations.”

After three years away, Formula 1 makes its belated return to the iconic Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix. With the circuit potentially set to host ...

In a marathon Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, Sergio Perez’s victory was only assured hours after the race due to a stewards investigation. A testing return to the Singapore Grand Prix in tricky conditions created plenty of hazards and mistakes for the Formula 1 drivers to fall into. After seemingly being stuck in limbo at AlphaTauri - too good to let go, but not a realistic prospect for a Red Bull return - Pierre Gasly has finally shaken off the shackles to join Alpine.

There were mixed fortunes on the grid as the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix got under way in wet conditions, rain having hit the track in the build-up to the ...

[second consecutive title](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.points-permutations-what-verstappen-needs-to-do-to-win-his-second-drivers.2y2rFRR2d2o6LRHPijDzLP.html) if things go his way today – to brilliantly fight his way back in front. There were mixed fortunes on the grid as the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix got under way in wet conditions, rain having hit the track in the build-up to the race. WATCH: Relive the race start as Albon and Sainz retire from the Japanese Grand Prix

Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz have hit out after Pierre Gasly had a near miss with a recovery vehicle shortly after the start of the Formula 1 Japanese GP.

In a marathon Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, Sergio Perez’s victory was only assured hours after the race due to a stewards investigation. A testing return to the Singapore Grand Prix in tricky conditions created plenty of hazards and mistakes for the Formula 1 drivers to fall into. After seemingly being stuck in limbo at AlphaTauri - too good to let go, but not a realistic prospect for a Red Bull return - Pierre Gasly has finally shaken off the shackles to join Alpine.

The Japanese Grand Prix - which could decide the 2022 Formula 1 world title - has been red-flagged after three laps due to wet conditions.

Verstappen needs to outscore Leclerc by eight points to seal the title today. Gasly then appeared to encounter a recovery vehicle on the racing line under safety car conditions on the lap after his pitstop, prompting an outraged radio message. Rain had eased slightly, but conditions in the paddock remained very poor.

Frenchman Pierre Gasly raged after driving at speed past a recovery vehicle sent out in heavy rain while the safety car was deployed at Sunday's Formula One ...

We lost a life in this situation years ago. "How’s this happened!? "This is unacceptable! Can’t believe this." killed myself," the AlphaTauri driver said over the team radio. "I could have ...

Verstappen headed Sergio Perez in a Red Bull one-two after Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who crossed the line second, was penalised for cutting the track and ...

We expected him to win the title. "I really struggled with the tyres but after three four laps we just destroyed them. Leclerc dropped back from Verstappen and Perez began to reel in the Ferrari. We're leading the constructors so we want to focus on that, to secure that." when he was told he was champion, reflecting the historical precedent that reduced points are awarded in such circumstances. Beside that, the work we did with Honda every year, constantly improving, gets very emotional especially here.

Max Verstappen sealed his second Formula 1 world championship amid huge confusion after winning a chaotic, rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix.

"Car 10, which had collected damage and pitted behind the Safety Car, was driving at high speed to catch up to the field. But for the Japanese GP there was a different interpretation of the rules, which state that the reduced points are only applied if a race is suspended "and cannot be resumed". "What is this tractor on track?" We don't want to see ever, a crane on the track." I'm so thankful to everyone who has been contributing to this success." [Japanese GP: Final race result](https://www.skysports.com/f1/grandprix/japan/results) [Verstappen crowned champion amid F1 confusion

Formula 1 drivers and team principals condemn race officials for putting a recovery vehicle on track in wet conditions at the Japanese Grand Prix.

I hope this is the last time ever I see a crane on track!" Incredible." Gasly said over the team radio: "What is this tractor on track? Perez said on social media: "How can we make it clear that we never want to see a crane on track? We can keep it short: this must not happen, guys." "Wtf.

Max Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix for Red Bull and secured his second Formula One world championship.

These incidents precipitated a terrifying moment for Pierre Gasly who had pitted on the opening lap and was out of sync with the rest of the field, behind the safety car with a tractor was on track attempting to deal with Sainz’s wreckage. Verstappen was consistently almost a second lap faster and closed out with ease, a fitting finale for the now-double world champion. Verstappen, though, was in complete control, his lap times hugely impressive given the conditions, quickly putting a full 12 seconds on Leclerc who was harried to the flag by Pérez and ultimately made the mistake that was crucial. The race opened in the rain and Verstappen made a slow start but clung on bravely to Leclerc around the outside of turn one to hold the lead as he entered the esses. After this tragedy the FIA introduced a slew of rules intended to prevent such thing happening again, including one which prohibited the use of recovery vehicles unless the safety car or a virtual safety car was deployed. He has become only the third driver to have secured the championship with four or more races remaining – Michael Schumacher took it in 2002 with six to go and Nigel Mansell in 1992 with five, while Sebastian Vettel won with four remaining also at the Japanese GP in 2011.

Max Verstappen's crowning as Formula 1 world champion at the Japanese Grand Prix came in hugely confusing circumstances as fans and media were left unsure ...

In a marathon Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, Sergio Perez’s victory was only assured hours after the race due to a stewards investigation. A testing return to the Singapore Grand Prix in tricky conditions created plenty of hazards and mistakes for the Formula 1 drivers to fall into. After seemingly being stuck in limbo at AlphaTauri - too good to let go, but not a realistic prospect for a Red Bull return - Pierre Gasly has finally shaken off the shackles to join Alpine.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen celebrated a 'crazy' victory at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka that gave him a second successive world championship.

“Max has been truly, truly dominant. "It's a pretty crazy feeling, of course, because I didn't expect it when I crossed the line. We thought we were one point short. "It's something I could never have imagined. After last year, fighting until the end, and then having such a good car again this year. Japanese Grand Prix

The FIA has confirmed it is launching a review into the deployment of a recovery vehicle which avoided a high-speed collision with Pierre Gasly during the ...

There is no visibility, so the last thing you expect is to see a vehicle on track. "One thing leads to another and we had a crash with Carlos going off. "I don't think many conversations need to be had, especially from us drivers. I don't know who okayed it and who allowed it to happen. That needs to be improved. "I didn't see Carlos and I didn't see the tractor. It should never happen again, ever in any category." "I only saw it on television, but I was amazed when I saw that because in the car I didn't see anything. "If one driver decides to get a bit out of the racing line or has a small aquaplaning or has to change a switch on the steering wheel and gets a bit out of line and hits a tractor, it's over. "We have an intermediate tyre that is a lot faster than an extreme tyre, but the extreme tyre is the tyre for the condition, but it's so slow you are pressured to go onto the next tyre. I really don't understand how it's happened. "I passed two metres from that crane, and if I was two metres to the left I would have been dead."

Pierre Gasly was slapped with a 20-second time penalty for speeding under red flag conditions in a hugely controversial incident that left the French driver ...

It read: “The Safety Car had been deployed and the race neutralised. The FIA released a statement attempting to explain the circumstances behind the incident. I hope this is the last time ever I see a crane on track!” Former world champion Jenson Button said: “From an emotional point of view, there is no need to put something else on track that could cause a worse incident. Even behind the safety car,” he told Sky F1. We lost a life in this situation years ago.