Max Verstappen elected "Driver of the Day" of the Japanese GP

Max Verstappen was driver of the day of the Japanese Grand Prix, held yesterday on the Suzuka track. The Dutchman, who started from third position (due to the penalties inflicted on Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel), finished second in the Japanese race behind Nico Rosberg's Mercedes.

In the final stages of the Suzuka race, the young Red Bull driver started a duel with Lewis Hamilton at the Triangle Chicane (made famous by the Senna-Prost battle that took place in the 1989 edition), where the latter had to desist from overtaking by going long, thus returning to the track on the main straight from the escape route.

An action on which the race direction wanted to see clearly, calling Verstappen back for an interview (without consequences) after the podium ceremony and the usual interviews. A chat which was followed by a complaint from Mercedes, according to which the Dutchman - with the defensive maneuver on Hamilton - had violated article 27.5 of the regulations.

Not being able to listen to the parties involved (both drivers had already left the track), the Federation was forced to postpone any decision until the Austin race, scheduled in two weekends, thus leaving sub-judice the ranking of the Japanese GP. Seen i biblical times which should have elapsed until the Stars and Stripes event, the Stuttgart company preferred to withdraw its protest, with Verstappen thus officially retaining second place.

With second place achieved yesterday in Sezuka, Verstappen achieved the Top Three for the second consecutive race. With six awards under his belt so far, the young Red Bull driver has consolidated his leadership in the special classification Driver of the Day. 

Piero Ladisa