Controversial? The FIA did it just right!

The Washington Post began its coverage of the Grand Prix in Japan on Sunday with the following paragraph: "Maybe one day Max Verstappen will win the Formula One championship in an ordinary, non-controversial way. This is not that year."

The US newspaper is not the only medium to use the word 'controversial', following a race in which Verstappen captured his second world championship after all. The regulations meant that a full points tally was indeed awarded, although 'only' 23 laps were completed at Suzuka.

Point sharing

Since more than 50 per cent and less than 75 per cent of the race distance had been covered, media, fans and teams alike were under the impression that the winner would receive not 25 but 19 points. Then the number two would earn not 18 but 14 points, and the number three not 15 but 10 points. But as it turned out, the adjusted point count only applied if a Grand Prix did not resume. In Japan, the clock ran for three hours, and the race resumed after the red flag.

Last season's final race in Abu Dhabi saw much criticism of race leader Michael Masi, who was said to have made a run at the rules (although he had the power to choose what he did at the time). This time in Japan, on the contrary, the new race leader adhered exactly to the rules, as once ratified by the teams themselves.

Lack of knowledge

That fans, media and the teams did not know the rules, the FIA cannot do anything about that. Of course, immediately after declaring Verstappen the champion, the motorsport federation could have pointed out the relevant passage in the rulebook with a simple Tweet. Would have saved a lot of hassle. But controversial? No, it wasn't. Controversial it would only have been if full points had not been handed out.

Another fun fact: the rule now applied was introduced in early 2021. Its creator? Michael Masi.