Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, has praised his son’s ability to out-class the field in wet conditions after his dominant victory at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix.
The race was started the finished in wet conditions on Sunday, with Verstappen leading Leclerc through Turns One and Tw after the Monegasque had initially got a better launch.
The race was red flagged on the opening lap after Carlos Sainz accident at Turn 11, and the lengthy delay led many to fear that a repeat of the Belgian Grand Prix last year was on the horizon.
Verstappen led the field again though when the drivers were eventually sent back out, and the race became a timed event.
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The reigning champion squeezed 28 laps into a 40-minute spell, during which time he pulled out a 27-second lead over Leclerc.
The Ferrari driver finished second on track, but he did so after leaving that track at the final chicane on the final lap, before pushing Sergio Perez wide.
The Mexican was then bumped up to second, before the stewards found something interesting in the regulations.
They noticed that, because the race had not been stopped by a red flag, full points could be awarded despite only half the race being completed.
Verstappen therefor beat Leclerc by 10 points, taking his championship led to 114 points with 112 left on the table.
Before the title was bizarrely confirmed, there was a nervous wait for Jos, who was in constant discussion with his son’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen.
“I was in contact with Red Bull and manager Raymond Vermeulen, but eventually the word came,” Jos told Viaplay.
“Last year there was an incredible emotion, but now we knew it was going to happen – just not when.
“But he drove a very strong race, especially when you remember he pulled out 26 seconds in a race about 40 minutes long.
“These kind of conditions are Max’s speciality – from an early age he had something extra in the rain.
“I spoke to him and he called him and I already sent him a text message. I told him he is the best – but I say that almost every weekend.”
The 50-year-old was not in Suzuka last weekend, having initially indicated that he wanted to attend every race until the end of the season to see the title come home.
In the end, his intense schedule prevented him from going to Japan, but he still took plenty of enjoyment from his living room.
“Certainly in recent years and previous races, I always am there,” added Jos.
“I do not have to be there, I get just as much at home – although there was some disbelief as we didn’t know exactly what was going on at the finish.”
Max has a contract with Red Bull that runs until the end of 2028, by which time Jos reckons more titles will have materialised for his son.
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“The rules will remain largely the same, the field will therefore come closer together and we will have better races,” he explained.
“But the strongest driver always floats to the top. If Red Bull continues like this, we will certainly have a nice five years.”
Despite the success, Verstappen’s maiden title last year is now under scrutiny after Red Bull were found to have breached the financial regulations by overspending.