Japan   05-07 Oct 2012
Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka City, Mie, Japan Event Description: Race Distance: 53 laps, 307.471 km

The famous Suzuka figure-8 started life in 1962 as a test track for the Honda company. Today, it's one of the world's most famous tracks, and a driver favorite. A combination of fast straights, tight hairpins and chicanes, long dynamic sweepers, and elevations changes leads to many overtaking opportunities. In addition to the cross-over bridge/tunnel that allows the figure-8 layout, Suzuka's other famous element is 130R, a 130 meter radius curve taken flat-out in an F1 car.

In 2011, Button fought hard for his slim championship shot by winning the race, but with Vettel finishing 3rd, the German became the 2011 world champion. Alonso took 2nd. Qualifying Summary: It was shades of 2011 as Red Bull's great cornering aero allows them to lock out the front row of the grid. Vettel take the pole, Webber 2nd.

A late yellow in Q3 shakes up the rest of the top 10, with several drivers forced to abort their only flying lap. Alonso does no better than 7th, Hamilton 9th.

Hometown hero Kobayashi grabs a career high 4th starting position.

The top 10 in Japan:
VET WEB BUT* KOB GRO PER ALO RAI HAM HUL* MAS
* 5 spot gearbox penalty Race Summary: It was another Suzuka clinic put on by Prof. Vettel as he takes the grand slam of pole, fast lap, and win in Japan.

The rest of the podium however is full of surprises. From the 10th spot on the grid, Massa charges to the front finishing in 2nd in what is perhaps a career saving drive. Massa is the highest placing Ferrari as another turn-1 incident caused by Grosjean takes out Alonso.

Also, rising on the tide of hometown support, Kobayasi becomes only the 3rd Japanese driver to stand on the podium, finishing 3rd to the delight of the Japanese fans.

With Alonso out, and Vettel winning, the championship closes to only a 4 point Alonso lead. Driver Classification for Round 15: Fantasy Results: Event Media: