The three champions found out about their title win in the boxing aisle. Formula 1 and its junior categories ended in an anticlimactic denouement

Max Verstappen became a two-time F1 champion after the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday 9 October. While last year in Abu Dhabi he screamed with excitement into the radio as he crossed the finish line, this year he learned of his championship win in a post-race interview.

The race at the Suzuka circuit was a very unconventional one. The race was abandoned for a long time due to bad weather after Carlos Sainz crashed on the first lap. After the restart it was clear that the planned 53 laps would not be completed.

There was speculation as to how many points would be awarded at the end. In fact, the rules state that if the race is between 50% and 75% of the total planned distance, the full number of points is not awarded.

But that rule applies to a race that is red flagged, not interrupted and then restarted. However, this information was not known to much of the paddock, which is why Max Verstappen did not believe he had won the title, even after the five-second penalty was given to Charles Leclerc.

Red Bull celebrated after the race, half embarrassed at first. It was waiting for a firm statement from the FIA, which fortunately came rather quickly. Even so, the celebrations lost a substantial amount of emotion.

Victor Martins’ 20-minute wait

Even more disappointing was the Formula 3 final, in which Czech driver Roman Stanek was also fighting for the title.

Five drivers entered the last race with a chance of the title. The race offered an incredible spectacle and a great battle between Oliver Bearman and Zane Maloney.

It was even worse when red flags had to be displayed on the track after Kush Maini’s accident. Due to the busy schedule, the race could not be restarted and the final results were a long time coming.

The problem came with the news that championship leader Victor Martins received a five-second penalty for breaking track limits. After a long discussion about how the penalty would be implemented, the decision was finally made. Martins became champion.

Drugovich watched the denouement of the season from the position of a spectator

The least controversial of the three cases is the guaranteed Formula 2 title. Felipe Drugovich had already built up a huge lead before the penultimate round of the season and was already fighting for the title in Monza, Italy.

He won the championship in Saturday’s sprint race, but did not finish the race himself. He was forced to retire after a collision early in the race. The 22-year-old Brazilian also celebrated in the pit lane, not in his monoposto.

Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3