Max Verstappen it seems just cannot secure a Formula One title without high drama. The Red Bull driver has two now, both concluded with elements of positively Wagnerian theatrics. He sealed the second with victory here at the Japanese Grand Prix but only after a long day of incident and anger, of a denouement at the very final corner of the final lap and as if all this were not enough, some moments of almost high farce, of comic opera, as the champion himself was unaware he had done enough to seal the deal.
After the huge controversy when he took his first title at Abu Dhabi last year, the 25-year-old was doubtless looking forward to closing this one out with some serenity. He had deserved to, having earned this without a doubt, demonstrated not least in his 12th win this year from 18 races in the wet at Suzuka. It was a consummate display that illustrated why he has dominated and indeed won the title with four meetings remaining.
