Drivers furious at handling of controversial Japanese GP

Max Verstappen claimed his second world championship with a dominant victory in the wet at the Japanese Grand Prix, but the race was overshadowed by controversy. 

Pierre Gasly was furious with the FIA after narrowly avoiding a collision with a recovery vehicle on the track during an early Safety Car/red flag period. 

Gasly had been driving faster than he was supposed to have been, with red flags out, but was unaware a vehicle had been placed on the race track. 

Gasly and a number of other drivers criticised the FIA's handling of the situation. 

After a long stoppage due to the rain, the race eventually restarted. 

Verstappen led away from pole position and was untouchable in the wet conditions, mirroring how he has been for much of the season.  

Teammate Sergio Perez beat Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to second position, which was the permutation Verstappen needed without the fastest lap point to wrap up the title.  

There was confusion at the end of the race, with Verstappen unsure he had won it until being told by Sky Sports F1's Jonny Herbert. 

Even in the cool-down room, Verstappen was unsure. 

"Am I champ or not?" he asked someone. "Because people keep saying I'm not!" 

As the race completed less than 75 percent distance there was a feeling fewer points would be given than normal. 

However, the regulations state that reduced points are given out if there is a red flag and the race cannot be resumed. 

While there was a red flag during the race, the race did resume for 45 minutes at the end, so full points were given. 

After 20 minutes of confusion it was confirmed the Dutch driver was the 2022 champion.  

Verstappen's teammate Perez was promoted to second ahead of Charles Leclerc when the Ferrari driver was issued a five-second penalty several minutes after the finish.  

At the final corner Leclerc had run wide while defending second position from Perez and he forced the Red Bull driver wide when he rejoined the circuit. 

Leclerc ran wide at the final corner of the final lap and appeared to force Perez wide as he rejoined. 

The race will be remembered for what unfolded in the opening laps. 

After initially starting in heavy rain, Carlos Sainz spun out on the opening lap of the race, prompting a Safety Car. 

The race was soon red-flagged but there was controversy as a recovery vehicle was on the track while cars were still going around. 

Pierre Gasly was driving at full-speed when he passed it, as he was trying to catch up with the pack again and was unaware a crane was on the race track. 

In the red flag stoppage, Gasly and numerous other drivers were highly critical of the FIA's handling of the incident.