Vettel wins the Japanese Grand Prix!

Sebastian Vettel won Sunday’s Japanese GP in front of Webber and Alonso. Button finished fourth, Hamilton fifth.

Only 23 cars were at the start, after Lucas di Grassi crashed his Virgin on his way to the grid. The car was heavily damaged, meaning there was no way the Brazilian would be starting the race.

Sebastian Vettel had a good start from pole position and led the field into Turn One, while there was some drama behind him. Vitaly Petrov clipped the rear of Hulkenberg’s Williams in the straight and span into the wall. The German retired shortly after, while Felipe Massa crashed into Liuzzi’s Force India. Both retired.

The safety car was quicky deployed. Vettel was leading from Kubica, Webber, Alonso, Button and Hamilton. It was still out when Robert Kubica had to park his Renault with his right-rear wheel missing! So both Renaults were out after only three laps.

The race resumed at the end of lap 6. Vettel immediately set a scorching pace to sprint clear of Webber. Both Red Bulls lapped consistently quicker than their pursuers and were already enjoying a three second lead over Alonso on lap 11.

At the other end of the scale, Yamamoto, Trulli and Glock were fighting hard for 15th. The Japanese defended well but a mistake on lap 15 allowed Trulli past. Kobayashi also provided some action with overtaking moves on Alguersuari and Sutil.

Hamilton was the first of the frontrunners to pit, at the end of lap 22. Race leader Vettel and third-placed Alonso stopped at the end of lap 24. Webber inherited the lead but came in from fresh tyres one lap later. Button found himself leading from Vettel, Webber and Alonso.

In the meantime, Michael Schumacher was pressuring his Mercedes’ teammate for P8. Rosberg held firm and the former World Champion couldn’t find a way through.

Having started the race on the harder tyre, Button waited until lap 38 to make his scheduled pitstop. Behind him, Webber and Alonso looked particularly quick on the softer tyre and were the fastest men on track.

The Australian cut the gap to Vettel from 3 seconds to 1.3s in a couple of laps. The German reacted though and the gap was back to 2 seconds on lap 34. The pair closed in on Button and had to slow their pace as they were now in the dirty air from the McLaren. It didn’t last long though as the leader pitted at the end of lap 38.

Vettel instantly upped the pace and set a new fastest lap in 1’34’’715. On lap 39, gearbox trouble arose for Hamilton who told his team he had lost third gear. Button chased him down and passed him at the hairpin on lap 44 . Behind them, the battle was still raging between the Mercedes drivers.

Sutil’s Mercedes engine blew up on lap 45. The German was able to bring his Force India into the pits. Alguersuari came in right behind him after light contact with Sauber’s Kobayashi.

Now up in 4th place, Button made the most of his fresher tyres to set an excellent pace and slightly close the gap to Alonso.

Rosberg crashed out on lap 48 – with an apparent mechanical failure. His retirement promoted Schumacher to P6.

Race leader Vettel set the fastest lap of the race on lap 51 but was deprived from it on the final lap by his teammate Mark Webber.

The German still won the race and the Australian made it a one-two for the Red Bull Racing Team. Alonso joined them on the podium. Button finished fourth ahead of Hamilton. Schumacher took sixth. Kobayashi, Heidfeld, Barrichello and Buemi scored points.

Kovalainen finished in 12th place for Lotus.

Webber still leads the World Championship with Alonso and Vettel now tied in second position.