Vettel takes first back-to-back victory of 2012 at Suzuka

Sebastian Vettel has taken the first back-to-back victory of the season with an absolutely dominating drive at the Japanese Grand Prix, which saw the German lead every lap of the race from pole. Felipe Massa finished 2nd, his first podium since 2010, with local hero Kamui Kobayashi a brilliant 3rd after fending off Jenson Button.

The race started with fireworks through turns 1 and 2, as Kamui Kobayashi instantly overtook Mark Webber for 2nd whereas further back Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen came together. This saw Alonso pick up a puncture and spin into the gravel and into retirement. Through turn 2, Romain Grosjean caused a separate incident as he ran into the side of Mark Webber as Bruno Senna and Nico Rosberg also collided. This saw Rosberg retire, along with Alonso as Grosjean and Senna limped back to the pits without their front wings.

The first lap carnage brought out the safety car, as the Japanese marshals instantly set to clearing the stricken Ferrari and Mercedes. Mark Webber was miraculously able to continue, albeit after returning to the pits for a check-up after his collision. After only several laps under safety car conditions, the race was resumed as Vettel instantly romped into the lead ahead of Kobayashi and Button. Sergio Perez ran wide at turn 1 as Kimi Raikkonen forced his way around the Sauber driver, as Romain Grosjean was issued a ten-second stop and go penalty for colliding with Webber at the start.

As the opening laps passed, Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen became the first drivers to pit for new tyres from 4th and 6th. Kamui Kobayashi pitted a lap later, as the majority of the field pitted. Lewis Hamilton pitted from 3rd on lap 17, before the leaders of Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa finally pitted on lap 18. Sergio Perez became the next retirement of the race, after the Mexican driver made a mistake through turn 10 and spun off at turn 11 whilst trying to overtake Lewis Hamilton.

Bruno Senna was issued a drive-thru penalty on lap 20, after his collision with the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg at the start. Worried looks began appearing on the faces of the McLaren mechanics as the race progressed, with Jenson Button complaining of potential gearbox issues. However, these worries quickly faded as Jenson Button aimed at closing down on the local hero of Kamui Kobayashi.

Mark Webber was the first driver to pit for a second time on lap 26, with the Australian driver visibly struggling for grip. Once again the rest of the field followed suit over the next few laps, as Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Kamui Kobayashi all decided to pit. Narain Karthikeyan became the next retirement on lap 34, as the HRT driver pitted with a suspected mechanical issue.

Sebastian Vettel pitted from the lead on lap 38, and easily rejoined the race still in the lead. Felipe Massa was a distant 2nd, with Kamui Kobayashi still 3rd with a charging Jenson Button closing the gap between himself and the Sauber driver. Vitaly Petrov was issued a drive-thru penalty during the closing stages of the race, as Charles Pic and Romain Grosjean eventually retired with mechanical issues plaguing their separate cars.

However, Sebastian Vettel remained dominant out in front as he stormed to his 24th career victory. Felipe Massa was able to follow the reigning World Champion home in 2nd place, his first podium finish since the Korean Grand Prix way back in 2010. Kamui Kobayashi was able to fend off Jenson Button in the closing stages of the race, and take a memorable 3rd place in front of his adoring home fans.

With Fernando Alonso retiring and scoring no points during the Japanese Grand Prix, and Sebastian Vettel taking victory and the 25 points that go with it, the Drivers’ Championship is now poised for a stunning showdown in the final five races. With only four points separating Alonso and Vettel at the top, the Championship remains wide open as the F1 circus heads to Korea.

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