How F1 plans to avoid a Verstappen Japan title quirk repeat
Formula 1 are aiming to modify the regulations on shortened races, following the confusing conclusion to the Max Verstappen's title challenge.
When Verstappen crossed the line at Suzuka in the rain-shortened race, it was assumed that he was not the 2022 Formula 1 World Champion.
Even after Charles Leclerc copped a five-second time penalty by cutting the final chicane on that last lap and gaining an advantage that would drop him to third and promote Sergio Perez, it was still not enough.
As the race had not reached 75% of its scheduled distance needed for full points to kick in following the two-hour rain delay, the expectation was that the sliding scale of reduced points would be referred to - this having been refined in the aftermath of the abandoned 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.
It was believed that Verstappen would be left one point short of the total he required to seal the title and that the coronation would roll on to the United States two weeks later.
However, a q...