Sebastian Vettel clinched the World F1 Championship with a 3rd place in the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka today. Suzuka turned out to be very hard on tyres and Jensen Button’s McLaren and Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari coped better with the abrasive track. Vettel lead from Pole after a very aggressive move off the start line to push Jensen Button onto the grass, forcing him to ease out of the throttle to avoid an accident. Undoubtedly, if Lewis Hamilton had tried this move, he would have been severely penalized by the Stewards. Double standards at work here. Vettel lead for seven laps until his tyres gave up which presented Jensen with the opportunity to take the lead. Jensen, as usual, drove an immaculate race and was never again headed. Alonso moved past Vettel later in the race to take second place but never really was able to threaten Button for the lead. Vettel only needed one point to clinch the Championship and he cruised home to take third. McLaren seem to have finally caught up with Red Bull in the performance stakes but too late to threaten for the title. However the last four races could prove to be the best four races of the year, even though they will not effect the Championship. Having won the title, I imagine that Red Bull will now be concentrating on their 2012 car. Let us hope that McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes can get their act together a little earlier next year and provide us with an exciting race for the title.

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