Will F1's mess tarnish Verstappen's title?

Of course, the two scenarios ten months apart have been very different. In Abu Dhabi last December, Verstappen was at least able to relish the feeling of being a world champion as he crossed the line to claim his maiden title following a last-lap overtake on Lewis Hamilton. It was a feeling that lasted less than an hour as Mercedes launched a protest against the race classification, subsequently appealing after the protest was dismissed on the night by the stewards which meant he departed the circuit with controversy draped over his triumph.

Race director Michael Masi had infamously failed to apply the rules as they were written and, for a period of time, Verstappen may have celebrated being champion. But until that last kernel of doubt was removed, he was unable to do so with complete vigour.

Ten months on, and the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix will arguably long be remembered for the fury that erupted among the drivers as memories of Jules Bianchi were brought to the fore, allied to the confusion that unfolded for over ten minutes as to whether Verstappen was a two-time F1 world champion or not. Both incidents struck at the very heart of what continues to afflict motorsport's blue-riband series. The constant questioning of the FIA’s running of the sport mixed with a book of regulations that continually seems to unravel.

No one could have imagined we would ever see a repeat of the scenario that ultimately led to the death of Bianchi months after his horrific collision with a recovery vehicle at Suzuka. Certainly not after a comprehensive investigation and review was published. Unbelievably, we came terrifyingly close to seeing just that at the very same circuit. AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly came within metres of striking a tractor that was hauling away Carlos Sainz's crashed Ferrari following a first-lap incident which saw him aquaplane off a wet track and into the barriers.

Worse still, was the sight of a clearly frightened marshal – attempting to steady the F1-75 as it was being hoisted away – as Gasly flashed by at an unacceptable speed given the torrential conditions in a bid to catch up with the safety car train following a visit to the pits after collecting an advertising hoarding in the wake of Sainz's smash.

The FIA has promised "a thorough review of the events involving the deployment of recovery vehicles during the Japanese Grand Prix", as a result of "the particular circumstances and also taking into account feedback from a number of drivers". Motorsport's world governing body added that such an inquest "is part of the common practice of debriefing and analysis of all race incidents to ensure continual improvements of processes and procedures".

The simple fact is, it should never have happened, leaving FIA's race control in the spotlight again for making a badly misjudged call that could again have resulted in the gravest of consequences.

And then we come to the farcical situation surrounding Verstappen's latest title triumph, with many believing that when he crossed the line, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc second and the Dutchman's Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez third, he was a point shy of his ultimate target.

In the wake of last year's rain-lashed Belgian Grand Prix, when half points were awarded even though only two laps took place behind the safety car, there was a re-drafting of the regulations, overseen by Masi. The belief was that with Sunday's timed race at Suzuka, three-quarter points would be applied, as laid out in a table of rules designed to avoid the absurdity that took place at Spa-Francorchamps.

For a short period, Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez and all within their teams believed the title race would spill over to the next event in the United States, even when the positions of the latter duo were reversed following a hastily determined penalty for the Monégasque. More on that in a moment.

The FIA rules, however, state that such points are only awarded "if a race is suspended and cannot be resumed". It was not until FIA clarification came through that Verstappen was informed he was champion, and even then it was at the second time of telling as someone had apparently informed him the original clarification was incorrect.

It has emerged the team principals, including Christian Horner and Mattia Binotto, played their part in the redrafting of the rules after what had transpired at Spa, only they believed it also covered situations such as the one at Suzuka and only partial points were to be awarded. So guess what? Yep, there will be a tightening of the regulations over the winter to close off the loophole.

On to that Leclerc-Perez incident and a speedy five-second punishment applied to the Ferrari driver for cutting the chicane on the final lap and gaining an advantage, as determined by the race stewards.

The growing frustration amongst the drivers and team principals is the lack of consistency being applied at all levels within the FIA. Just a week previously, the stewards waited to speak to Perez for two breaches of failing to keep within ten lengths of the safety car, deciding to allow him to voice his version of events despite his infringements being clear and obvious. No such platform was afforded to Leclerc. Secondly, during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in July, Perez gained a place on Leclerc when cutting Club corner yet the stewards deemed that to be racing.

Given what unfolded with Masi last year, the spotlight on the FIA this season has been blinding. Never has its decision-making processes, from the top down with president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, been scrutinised so heavily. These are turbulent times for the FIA which needs to find a way to steady itself at a time when the sport has never been so popular. At least the one constant throughout this campaign has been the brilliance of Verstappen. That, at least, cannot be questioned.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.