An error in the timing of the chequered flag at the end of the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix has seen the race results rolled back a lap.
Set to be 53 laps in duration, an error while the leader Valtteri Bottas was on his final lap saw the LED panel on the front straight display the chequered flag early.
The light panel above the finish line is the official signal at the end of the race, though a physical flag is still waved for ceremonial purposes.
Regulations stipulate that, should the chequered flag be shown erroneously, results are to be taken from the last completed lap prior to the flag being shown.
Results of the Japanese Grand Prix have therefore been taken from the end of Lap 52.
It means Sergio Perez is officially classified ninth, despite crashing out on Lap 53 after tangling with Pierre Gasly, with Nico Hulkenberg pushed down to 10th and Lance Stroll shuffled out of the points to 11th.
Bottas won the race from Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, with Mercedes sealing the constructors’ championship.
Updated Results: Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix
Pos | Num | Driver | Team | Laps | Time/Diff |
1 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 52 | 21:46.8 |
2 | 5 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | 52 | +13.343s |
3 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 52 | +13.858s |
4 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Red Bull Honda | 52 | +59.537s |
5 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | McLaren Renault | 52 | +69.101s |
6 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | Renault | 51 | +1 lap |
7 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 51 | +1 lap |
8 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Toro Rosso Honda | 51 | +1 lap |
9 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Racing Point Mercedes | 51 | +1 lap |
10 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Renault | 51 | +1 lap |
11 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Racing Point Mercedes | 51 | +1 lap |
12 | 26 | Daniil Kvyat | Toro Rosso Honda | 51 | +1 lap |
13 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren Renault | 51 | +1 lap |
14 | 7 | Kimi Räikkönen | Alfa Romeo Ferrari | 51 | +1 lap |
15 | 8 | Romain Grosjean | Haas Ferrari | 51 | +1 lap |
16 | 99 | Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo Ferrari | 51 | +1 lap |
17 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas Ferrari | 51 | +1 lap |
18 | 63 | George Russell | Williams Mercedes | 50 | +2 laps |
19 | 88 | Robert Kubica | Williams Mercedes | 50 | +2 laps |
NC | 33 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Honda | 14 | DNF |
Drivers’ Championship
Pos | Driver | Team | Points |
1 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 338 |
2 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 274 |
3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 221 |
4 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda | 212 |
5 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | 212 |
6 | Carlos Sainz | McLaren Renault | 76 |
7 | Pierre Gasly | Toro Rosso Honda | 73 |
8 | Alexander Albon | Red Bull Racing Honda | 64 |
9 | Daniel Ricciardo | Renault | 42 |
10 | Nico Hulkenberg | Renault | 35 |
11 | Sergio Perez | Racing Point Mercedes | 35 |
12 | Lando Norris | McLaren Renault | 35 |
13 | Daniil Kvyat | Toro Rosso Honda | 33 |
14 | Kimi Räikkönen | Alfa Romeo Ferrari | 31 |
15 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas Ferrari | 20 |
16 | Lance Stroll | Racing Point Mercedes | 19 |
17 | Romain Grosjean | Haas Ferrari | 8 |
18 | Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo Ferrari | 4 |
19 | Robert Kubica | Williams Mercedes | 1 |
20 | George Russell | Williams Mercedes | 0 |
Constructors’ Championship
Pos | Team | Points |
1 | Mercedes | 612 |
2 | Ferrari | 433 |
3 | Red Bull Racing Honda | 323 |
4 | McLaren Renaut | 111 |
5 | Renault | 77 |
6 | Toro Rosso Honda | 59 |
7 | Racing Point Mercedes | 54 |
8 | Alfa Romeo Ferrari | 35 |
9 | Haas Ferrari | 28 |
10 | Williams Mercedes | 1 |