Sebastian Vettel unstoppable from gaining victory in Japan

World Champion Sebastian Vettel was literally unstoppable from gaining his 5th straight win and 9th of the season at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka while also edging closer to his 4th consecutive world title. The Red Bull No.2 driver was on a two stop strategy while early victory favorite Mark Webber lost it with a wrong 3stop strategy decided by him Red Bull during the middle of the race. Both RedBulls managed to get ahead of early race leader Romain Grosjean in the Lotus.

At the start both RedBulls mugged and it was Grosjean and Hamilton making a flyer, but Vettel got sandwiched between Hamilton on the left and Grosjean on the right and touched the rear wheel of the Mercedes driver. Hamilton instantly incurred a puncture going on to turn 1 while the Lotus driver Grosjean even got better of poleman Webber to slot into the lead into turn1 with the Red Bulls following.

Jules Bianchi and Van der Garde collide in Turn 1 and hit the gravel ending their race while an unlucky Hamilton managed to pit in for fresh tyres but the damage to the floor of car made him retire out of the race in the following laps.

Vettel initially complained of a front wing problem due to Hamilton's collision but the team confirmed the car was fine and further told to save the tyres.

It looked like Grosjean was set for his first victory but the Red Bull strategy team worked it out cleanly to grab the race with the tyre strategy. Vettel was set for 2stopper and Webber's team suddenly changed him to 3stopper. Initially on paper it looked as if Webber would go in for the victory and Vettel coming 2nd ahead of Grosjean but Vettel managed his tyres cleanly to hang onto the lead while Webber's 3rd stop brought him behind Frenchman Grosjean who didnt give up his place until the penultimate.

Alonso managed to salvage 4th afte managing to overtake his Ferrari team mate Massa in the early parts and then Hulkenberg later in the race. Kimi Raikkonen on other Lotus was on Alonso's tail during the middle part of the race but Hulkenberg came in between and gave the Iceman a tough challenge for a few laps for 5th. Hulkenberg drove a solid race and finished 6th ahead of his young team mate Estefan Gutierrez in 7th. 

Rosberg managed 8th after his race was spoilt incurring a drive through penalty for an unsafe release during his pitstop which almost collided with Sergio Perez of McLaren. Jenson Button came in 9th after a late setup change spoiled his McLaren's performance while Massa came in 10th after a drive through penalty for speeding in the pit lane.

Paul Di Resta of Force India  was the last of the unlapped cars managing 11th ahead of Torro Rosso's Vergne & Ricciardo while team mate Adrian Sutil came in 14th. Perez finished 15th ahead of the Williams of Maldonado & Bottas while Pic (Caterham) and Chilton (Marussia) came in 18th & 19th respectively.

2013 Japanese Grand Prix - Race Results