Formula One: Vettel wins in Japan, world title on hold

Sebastian Vettel won the Japanese Grand Prix Sunday but missed out on sealing his fourth successive world title as his nearest rival, Fernando Alonso, stayed just in touch by placing fourth.

Vettel, third from the first lap, drove a superb race to reel in his Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber and Lotus's Romain Grosjean, who were second and third, for his fifth straight victory.

But Ferrari's Alonso kept the championship alive when he finished fourth to remain 90 points back from Vettel with 100 points available from the last four races.

Kimi Raikkonen and Nico Hulkenberg were fifth and sixth but the championship challenge of Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton ended when he retired early after a puncture at the start.

Results from Formula One's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday:

1. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull-Renault) 1hr 26min 49.301sec

2. Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull-Renault) at 7.129

3. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Lotus-Renault) at 9.910

4. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari) at 45.605

5. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus-Renault) at 47.325

6. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Sauber-Ferrari) at 51.615

7. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Sauber-Ferrari) at 1:11.630

8. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) at 1:12.023

9. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) at 1:20.821

10. Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) at 1:29.263

11. Paul di Resta (GBR/Force India-Mercedes) at 1:38.572

12. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) at 1 lap

13. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) at 1 lap

14. Adrian Sutil (GER/Force India-Mercedes) at 1 lap

15. Sergio Perez (MEX/McLaren-Mercedes) at 1 lap

16. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams-Renault) at 1 lap

17. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams-Renault) at 1 lap

18. Charles Pic (FRA/Caterham-Renault) at 1 lap

19. Max Chilton (GBR/Marussia-Cosworth) at 1 lap

Reasons for retirements:

Jules Bianchi (FRA/Marussia): 1st lap

Giedo van der Garde (NED/Caterham): 1st lap

Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes): 8th lap

Overall standings:

Drivers - 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 297 pts, 2. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 207, 3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 177, 4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 161, 5. Mark Webber (AUS) 148, 6. Nico Rosberg (GER) 126, 7. Felipe Massa (BRA) 90, 8. Romain Grosjean (FRA) 87, 9. Jenson Button (GBR) 60, 10. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 39, 11. Paul di Resta (GBR) 36, 12. Adrian Sutil (GER) 26, 13. Sergio Perez (MEX) 23, 14. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 18, 15. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA) 13, 16. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX) 6, 17. Pastor Maldonado (VEN) 1

Constructors - 1. Red Bull Racing 445 pts, 2. Scuderia Ferrari 297, 3. Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team 287, 4. Lotus 264, 5. McLaren Mercedes 83, 6. Force India 62, 7. Sauber 45, 8. Scuderia Toro Rosso 31, 9. Williams 1