View the original article to see embedded media.
The Japanese Grand Prix ended in a joyous celebration as Max Verstappen won his second world championship. However, a dark cloud loomed over the paddock, particularly for Pierre Gasly, who feared for his life at the beginning of Sunday’s race.
A chaotic opening lap unfolded as rain created hectic conditions with very low visibility for the 20 cars zipping around Suzuka Circuit. Carlos Sainz aquaplaned into a barrier, two other cars spun at different points of the track but recovered and a piece of the advertising board ended up on the front nose of Gasly’s car. The Frenchman pitted as the pack of cars filed behind the safety car, and he tried to rejoin the pack. He later tweeted he was “respecting the delta time” with the safety car when coming up onto Turn 12.
