Vettel wins in Japan but F1 title on hold

Sebastian Vettel celebrates after winning the Japanese GP at the Suzuka circuit.

Sebastian Vettel made it five grand prix victories in a row by winning in Japan on Sunday but was made to wait for a fourth successive title.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso finished fourth to keep the title race mathematically open although a fourth successive Formula One title is all but sealed for Vettel.

Vettel had needed a victory and for Alonso to finish outside the top eight to become the youngest driver to win four straight F1 titles.

The 26-year-old German took the chequered flag just over 7 seconds ahead of Red Bull teammate Mark Webber, with Romain Grosjean in a Lotus third.

Alonso was followed by Kimi Raikkonen in a Lotus and Sauber’s Nico Huelkenberg over the line.