(Formula1.com)
Max Verstappen (No. 1 Oracle Red Bull Racing) claimed victory in the Japanese Grand Prix, and took the 2022 world title with it, after a dramatic late penalty for Charles Leclerc (No. 16 Scuderia Ferrari) put the championship beyond doubt. Verstappen won a restarted race amid persistent rain at Suzuka, with Leclerc initially looking set to finish second. But the Ferrari driver was penalized for cutting the chicane on the final lap as he defended from an overtake by Sergio Perez (No. 11 Oracle Red Bull Racing). The dramatic points swing means Verstappen heads to the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas, and the final four races of the season, with an unassailable lead over Perez and Leclerc – confirming him as champion. The race originally got under way as planned at 1400 local time, with Verstappen defending from Leclerc after a close run to Turn 1, but only two laps were completed before the action was red-flagged amid intense spray and a series of incidents, which included Carlos Sainz (No. 55 Scuderia Ferrari) crashing out. A lengthy delay followed, with the overall three-hour race limit ticking down, and the two-hour window coming into force an hour after the initial start, as Race Control waited for a suitable gap in the weather to get the action going again. Watch the Race Highlights here. (Thank you to Formula1.com)
Max Verstappen (No. 1 Oracle Red Bull Racing) claimed victory in the Japanese Grand Prix, and took the 2022 world title with it, after a dramatic late penalty for Charles Leclerc (No. 16 Scuderia Ferrari) put the championship beyond doubt. Verstappen won a restarted race amid persistent rain at Suzuka, with Leclerc initially looking set to finish second. But the Ferrari driver was penalized for cutting the chicane on the final lap as he defended from an overtake by Sergio Perez (No. 11 Oracle Red Bull Racing). The dramatic points swing means Verstappen heads to the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas, and the final four races of the season, with an unassailable lead over Perez and Leclerc – confirming him as champion. The race originally got under way as planned at 1400 local time, with Verstappen defending from Leclerc after a close run to Turn 1, but only two laps were completed before the action was red-flagged amid intense spray and a series of incidents, which included Carlos Sainz (No. 55 Scuderia Ferrari) crashing out. A lengthy delay followed, with the overall three-hour race limit ticking down, and the two-hour window coming into force an hour after the initial start, as Race Control waited for a suitable gap in the weather to get the action going again. Watch the Race Highlights here. (Thank you to Formula1.com)
(Trans Am Series)
After experiencing a catastrophic mechanical issue in Saturday’s practice session, Matthew Brabham (No. 20 ALTWELL CBD Ford Mustang) started in last place and drove through a 22-car field to capture the victory in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s TA/XGT/SGT/GT race at the Mission Foods VIR SpeedTour at VIRginia International Raceway. Brabham rocketed past the competition to claim his third TA victory in only four starts in the series. Brabham was relegated to start from the 22nd position after a mechanical issue in practice nearly destroyed his car, forcing him to sit out qualifying and requiring his CD Racing team to work through the night to have a car prepared by the start of the race. Once the green flag waved, Brabham wasted no time, working his way into the top five by lap seven, and by lap 12, he had advanced to the second position. Brabham’s team owner and teammate Chris Dyson, who took the green flag from the pole in his No. 16 ALTWELL CBD Mustang, appeared to be the car that Brabham would have to beat after he led the first 15 laps of the event. At the race’s halfway point, however, Dyson was attempting to pass a slower SGT competitor when the two made contact, damaging Dyson’s machine and forcing him to retire. From there, Brabham took over the lead and cruised to victory, leading the remainder of the 31-lap event. Keith Grant (No. 5 Showtime Motorsports Camaro) finished second, and CD Racing teammate Paul Fix crossed the finish line third in the No. 21 allgram/StopFlex.com/Classic Tube Mustang. Fix was penalized after the event, however, for avoidable contact and was moved to the last position on the lead lap, ultimately putting him sixth. Amy Ruman (No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette) inherited third place. (Thank you to Trans Am Series Media)
After experiencing a catastrophic mechanical issue in Saturday’s practice session, Matthew Brabham (No. 20 ALTWELL CBD Ford Mustang) started in last place and drove through a 22-car field to capture the victory in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s TA/XGT/SGT/GT race at the Mission Foods VIR SpeedTour at VIRginia International Raceway. Brabham rocketed past the competition to claim his third TA victory in only four starts in the series. Brabham was relegated to start from the 22nd position after a mechanical issue in practice nearly destroyed his car, forcing him to sit out qualifying and requiring his CD Racing team to work through the night to have a car prepared by the start of the race. Once the green flag waved, Brabham wasted no time, working his way into the top five by lap seven, and by lap 12, he had advanced to the second position. Brabham’s team owner and teammate Chris Dyson, who took the green flag from the pole in his No. 16 ALTWELL CBD Mustang, appeared to be the car that Brabham would have to beat after he led the first 15 laps of the event. At the race’s halfway point, however, Dyson was attempting to pass a slower SGT competitor when the two made contact, damaging Dyson’s machine and forcing him to retire. From there, Brabham took over the lead and cruised to victory, leading the remainder of the 31-lap event. Keith Grant (No. 5 Showtime Motorsports Camaro) finished second, and CD Racing teammate Paul Fix crossed the finish line third in the No. 21 allgram/StopFlex.com/Classic Tube Mustang. Fix was penalized after the event, however, for avoidable contact and was moved to the last position on the lead lap, ultimately putting him sixth. Amy Ruman (No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette) inherited third place. (Thank you to Trans Am Series Media)
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