Even the Red Bull driver needed convincing he was a double Formula One world champion with his team caught in the confusion that reigned.

Rivals Ferrari were also unsure the title battle was over as data experts and technical boffins wrestled with new scoring rules introduced after a farcical wash-out in Belgium last year.

“It’s a crazy feeling of course as I didn’t expect it when I crossed the line,” said Verstappen.

“I realised that Checo (Perez) was second instead of Charles but I didn’t know if it was full points, half points or 75% points because you’re reading through the rules.

“Then Tom (Wood, FIA media delegate) came to me and said that I was world champion and then suddenly people were saying, ‘no, you still need a point’.”

There were only 28 laps completed in Suzuka but full points were awarded as the race was resumed after a red flag had caused a delay of more than two hours.

Verstappen took the chequered flag following a fine display after the restart.

And he was crowned champion as Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was promoted to second after the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc was penalised for gaining an advantage, having run off the track at the final corner.

That incident not only cost Leclerc second place but also handed the world title to Verstappen who has dominated the season.

It was originally believed that full points would not be awarded because the race did not go the full distance, which would have meant that Verstappen would have missed out on clinching the title in Japan.

But he was suddenly declared champion as full points were awarded because the suspended race was resumed and not abandoned.

“We only found out when the speaker was saying congratulations for the world championship because our strategist said we were one point behind (the tally needed),” said Red Bull’s motorsport head Helmut Marko.

“So big surprise – but a very nice surprise.”

Verstappen’s win in Suzuka was his 12th of the season as he defended his title from 2021.

-AAP