Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel has dominated the 2012 Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix at Suzuka. Continuing his dominating form from last race, the German driver led every lap from start to finish
Making victory even sweeter for the German world champion was points leader Fernando Alonso crashing out of the race on the first lap. It was a much better day for Alonso’s Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa however, he finished second, around 20 seconds behind Vettel.
Mark Webber had to fight his way from the back of the pack after being spun on lap one. The Red Bull driver managed to claw his way back up to ninth. Fellow Aussie Daniel Ricciardo also finished in the points, as did hometown hero Kamui Kobayashi who was able to hold off the fast-finishing McLaren of Jenson Button for the final podium spot. Button’s teammate Lewis Hamilton came home fifth.
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing Winner
2. Felipe Massa Ferrari +20.6
3. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari +24.5
4. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes +25.0
5. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes +46.4
6. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault +50.4
7. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes +51.1
8. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault +52.3
9. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing-Renault +54.6
10. Daniel Ricciardo STR-Ferrari +66.9
11. Michael Schumacher Mercedes +67.7
12. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes +83.4
13. Jean-Eric Vergne STR-Ferrari +88.6
14. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault +88.7
15. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault +1 lap
16. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth +1 lap
17. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault +1 lap
18. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth +1 lap
19. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault +2 laps
DNF Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth
DNF Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth
DNF Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari
DNF Fernando Alonso Ferrari
DNF Nico Rosberg Mercedes
