Japanese Grand Prix

October 9, 2022

It's 1 a.m. here in southeastern Florida, and I am watching a live broadcast of the Japanese Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 (on ESPN2) this early morning. Today's circuit (track) is the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, Japan.

UPDATE: The race was "Red Flagged" (temporarily suspended) at Lap 3 of 53 because of dangerous conditions (too slippery; poor visibility) due to heavy rain.

UPDATE: The race is resuming about 2 hours after the suspension. However, the race has been shortened because the rules state that races must be completed within 3 hours. There are 40 minutes left in the race no matter how many total laps are left. Races typically take 1-1/2 hours under clear conditions and few DNFs (Did Not Finishes). From start to finish, this race will take 3 hours. Because the race is shortened, drivers will not be awarded the total number of points as in a full race. (See note below.) As usual, the Top 10 of 20 drivers will be awarded points. If the race was shorter, only the Top 5 would receive points. As usual, the driver with the fastest lap receives an extra point, but only if he finishes in the Top 10.

UPDATE: There will be one more lap after time runs out.

UPDATE: It's after 4 a.m. (here), and the drivers only completed 28 of 53 laps. However, there definitely was some classy driving going on. The race started at 1 p.m. (same day) in Japan.

UPDATE: Max Verstappen has won this races, as well as the 2022 World Championship with four races left in the 23-race season !!! This is his second World Championship in as many years. Charles Leclerc who finished second in this race received a 5-second penalty at the end for "cutting the chicane" (basically taking a shortcut) in the last lap. This bumped him to third place. That penalty served to knock Leclerc out of contention for the championship. Sergio Perez, Verstappen's teammate who finished third in this race, was bumped to second place, but he was also knocked out of contention for the championship. The 2022 Constructors Championship is still up for grabs.

NOTE: The stewards decided to award full points for this race because the race was restarted after a Red Flag.