Live: F1 Japanese GP commentary and updates - Race | Live text

By: Jake Boxall-Legge, Haydn Cobb, Megan White

Summary

Max Verstappen wins dramatic F1 Japanese GP and becomes world champion
Leclerc and Perez finish 2nd and 3rd on the track, but the Ferrari driver hit with a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, to promote Perez to second to decide the title
Sainz crashed out in initial start, Gasly under investigation for speeding under red flag in controversial recovery vehicle on track incident
Albon also out after mechanical failure

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Verstappen, Red Bull
Leclerc, Ferrari
Perez, Red Bull
Ocon, Alpine
Hamilton, Mercedes
Vettel, Aston Martin
Alonso, Alpine
Russell, Mercedes
Latifi, Williams
Norris, McLaren

Status: Stopped

11:37 A comedy of errors today, but we really appreciate you joining us so early - it's certainly been a day! We'll see you in a couple of weeks' time for the US Grand Prix - have a good one!

11:35 One thing I'd be curious about is if Verstappen crossed the line before the timer went out. Not that it matters, I just reckon it ended a lap too soon.

11:34 So, let's wrap up - because the only thing that's clear is that everything is very unclear. Max Verstappen IS the 2022 F1 world champion, and the winner of a Japanese Grand Prix that was quite...unconventional.

11:30 And here's the report from the Japanese Grand Prix - essential reading for anyone who needs some clarification!: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-japanese-gp-verstappen-crowned-world-champion-in-bizarre-circumstances/10382008/

11:29 From the FIA: "The rules regarding the reduced points allocation (article 6.5) only apply in the event of race suspension that cannot be resumed, and therefore full points are awarded and Max Verstappen is World Champion."

11:28 From the makers of "is that Glock?" comes the new film: "Is Max world champion?"

11:23 So according to the rules, the points distribution for shorter race distances applies if the race didn't resume. It seems it did, so we've got full points...so Max Verstappen appears to be a two-time world champion! This confusion sums the day up, doesn't it?

11:18 You'd think, with all of the processing power in the F1 paddock, someone might be able to work out if Verstappen's won the title in all of this. Get someone an abacus.

11:11 Five-second penalty for Leclerc - there's a swift decision. Perez thus takes second, and Leclerc third.

11:11 Fastest lap for Zhou, his 1m44.411s a mere 0.001s clear of Alonso's best lap.

11:09 The Leclerc/Perez incident has been noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

11:08 Russell was eighth, Latifi gets his first points of the year in ninth, and Norris completes the top 10.

11:07 Vettel and Alonso in a photo finish at the line but it looks like Vettel has his nose ahead to keep hold of sixth place!

11:07 Ocon keeps Hamilton at bay for fourth, as Vettel JUST holds off Alonso for sixth with the barest of margins!

11:07 Leclerc went off! He crossed the line ahead of Perez, but he went deep into the final chicane and cut across the Red Bull driver!

11:06 But Perez is all over Leclerc like a rash, can he pass in the final few corners?

11:05 And Max Verstappen wins the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix!

11:05 Alonso gets Russell to take seventh - now he's got less than a lap and 1.2s to find to catch Vettel.

11:04 The timer's up, lap 28 is our final lap.

11:04 Alonso has caught Russell in the fight for seventh and has about a lap and a half to make a move before the finish.

Live: F1 Japanese GP commentary and updates - Race

Follow along for minute-by-minute updates for Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix.

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