Max Verstappen wins F1 world championship after Leclerc penalty

Agencies |Tokyo

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Max Verstappen was declared Formula One world champion Sunday after winning a dramatic rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Verstappen crossed the line first and was then awarded the title when second-place finisher Charles Leclerc was given five-second penalty, dropping him to third, AFP reported.

According to Reuters, immediate confusion ensued over whether full points had been awarded after the shortened rain-hit race and whether the title would go down to the U.S. Grand Prix on Oct. 23, but the FIA governing body confirmed the title was won.

"It's a crazy feeling because I didn't expect it when I crossed the line," said Verstappen of his second successive crown.