- Vettel starts 2nd following Bottas penalty.
1) Hamilton 1:27.345
2) Vettel +0.462
3) Bottas +0.641
4) Ricciardo +1.099
5) Verstappen
6) Ocon
7) Perez
8) Massa
No time: Raikkonen, Alonso
F1 Zorg & Badger GP Fantasy Grand Prix 2017
- Thread starter hard top
- Start date
1) Hamilton 1:27.345
2) Vettel +0.462
3) Bottas +0.641
4) Ricciardo +1.099
5) Verstappen
6) Ocon
7) Perez
8) Massa
No time: Raikkonen, Alonso
'Reasonably happy'
Sebastian Vettel, who qualified third but will move up to second because of Valtteri Bottas' penalty: "I'm reasonably happy."
"I tried everything on the last lap - would have loved to be a bit quicker."
'A difficult weekend'
Valtteri Bottas, who qualified second but has a five-place grid penalty to serve tomorrow: "It's been a difficult weekend but my driving has been getting better."
Sebastian Vettel, who qualified third but will move up to second because of Valtteri Bottas' penalty: "I'm reasonably happy."
"I tried everything on the last lap - would have loved to be a bit quicker."
'A difficult weekend'
Valtteri Bottas, who qualified second but has a five-place grid penalty to serve tomorrow: "It's been a difficult weekend but my driving has been getting better."
Was a big crash for Romain Grosjean with his front tyres both pointing the wrong way.
Haas' Romain Grosjean says he was left puzzled by the crash which eliminated him from qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Attempting to progress to Q2, Grosjean lost control of his VF-17 through the first part of the Esses section at Suzuka.
After oversteering through the left-handed Turn 3, Grosjean was left compromised into Turn 4 and drifted wide onto the grass, before spearing into the barriers on the approach to Turn 5.
Attempting to progress to Q2, Grosjean lost control of his VF-17 through the first part of the Esses section at Suzuka.
After oversteering through the left-handed Turn 3, Grosjean was left compromised into Turn 4 and drifted wide onto the grass, before spearing into the barriers on the approach to Turn 5.
Yep, its just getting bloody stupid now.
Revised starting grid for the Japanese GP
1. L. Hamilton
Mercedes AMG
2. S. Vettel
Ferrari
3. D. Ricciardo
Red Bull Racing
.............................
4. M. Verstappen
Red Bull Racing
5. E. Ocon
Force India F1
6. S. Pérez
Force India F1
............................
7. V. Bottas
Mercedes AMG
............................
8. F. Massa
Williams
9. S. Vandoorne
McLaren
10. N. Hulkenberg
Renault
11. K. Räikkönen
Ferrari
12. K. Magnussen
Haas F1
13. R. Grosjean
Haas F1
14. P. Gasly
Scuderia Toro Rosso
15. L. Stroll
Williams
16. M. Ericsson
Sauber
17. P. Wehrlein
Sauber
18. J. Palmer
Renault
19. C. Sainz Jr.
Scuderia Toro Rosso
20. F. Alonso
McLaren
Kimi Räikkönen gets a five-place grid penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix after Ferrari was forced to change the gearbox in his SF70-H.
Räikkönen went off at the right-hander at Degner 2 during the final practice session and hit the barriers on the exit of the corner, causing damage to his car.
"Extensive repair work for our garage guys: gearbox and components around must be replaced on Kimi's car," confirmed Ferrari.
Räikkönen went off at the right-hander at Degner 2 during the final practice session and hit the barriers on the exit of the corner, causing damage to his car.
"Extensive repair work for our garage guys: gearbox and components around must be replaced on Kimi's car," confirmed Ferrari.
Fernando Alonso gets a 35-place grid penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix after taking on new power unit elements, meaning he will start Honda's home race from the very back of the field.
Honda detected a hydraulic issue on Alonso's Internal Combustion (ICE) engine after Friday practice at Suzuka and, as a result, changed the power unit overnight.
Alonso moves onto his 10th MGU-H and Turbocharger, eighth ICE and MGU-K, seventh Energy Store and sixth Control Electronics – the power unit spec is still 3.7.
McLaren broke the paddock curfew in order to do so.
Under current Formula 1 regulations, drivers are permitted to use only four of each of the six elements that make up the power unit before grid penalties are imposed.
The first time a fifth element is used, a 10-place grid penalty will be imposed, with a five-place drop imposed the first time a fifth of any of the remaining elements is used.
The first time a sixth element is used, a 10-place grid penalty will be imposed, and so on.
Alonso will thus take a notional 35-place grid drop.
Honda detected a hydraulic issue on Alonso's Internal Combustion (ICE) engine after Friday practice at Suzuka and, as a result, changed the power unit overnight.
Alonso moves onto his 10th MGU-H and Turbocharger, eighth ICE and MGU-K, seventh Energy Store and sixth Control Electronics – the power unit spec is still 3.7.
McLaren broke the paddock curfew in order to do so.
Under current Formula 1 regulations, drivers are permitted to use only four of each of the six elements that make up the power unit before grid penalties are imposed.
The first time a fifth element is used, a 10-place grid penalty will be imposed, with a five-place drop imposed the first time a fifth of any of the remaining elements is used.
The first time a sixth element is used, a 10-place grid penalty will be imposed, and so on.
Alonso will thus take a notional 35-place grid drop.
Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas gets a five-place grid penalty at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, with a new gearbox fitted to his W08.
Valtteri Bottas is optimistic that his alternative strategy will pay off at the Japanese Grand Prix, with the Mercedes driver poised to start the race on Soft tyres.
Bottas qualified in second position but penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change will demote him.
Valtteri Bottas is optimistic that his alternative strategy will pay off at the Japanese Grand Prix, with the Mercedes driver poised to start the race on Soft tyres.
Bottas qualified in second position but penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change will demote him.
Caught the last 10 laps 
and oops 
and oops
How the Japanese Grand Prix unfolded
Summary
- Hamilton wins, as Vettel retires with engine problem
- Sainz, Ericsson, Hulkenberg & Stroll retired
- Hamilton takes 59-point lead in title race
- Four races left. The United States Grand Prix up next in two weeks.
It was also his eighth win of the season and 61st of his career.
Lewis Hamilton speaking to Sky Sports: "For the first half of the race I was under control and the second half was a lot harder. Verstappen looked so big in my mirrors but I am pretty grateful the car stuck together."
"I wouldn't say I have one hand on it (the drivers' championship). There are 100 points available so I will keep the pedal to the metal."
- He will clinch the title at the next race - the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas - if he wins and Vettel finishes lower than fourth.
Japanese GP top 10
1) Hamilton
2) Verstappen
3) Ricciardo
4) Bottas
5) Raikkonen
6) Ocon
7) Perez
8) Magnussen
9) Grosjean
10) Massa
1) Hamilton
2) Verstappen
3) Ricciardo
4) Bottas
5) Raikkonen
6) Ocon
7) Perez
8) Magnussen
9) Grosjean
10) Massa
Carlos Sainz's early spin.
"I'm really sorry guys," said Sainz. Not the way he would have expected his final race with the team to go.
"I'm really sorry guys," said Sainz. Not the way he would have expected his final race with the team to go.
Bad luck for Vettel this weekend but don't forget it's because he lost his head in Singapore the points difference is so great.
This is karma for Lewis after his reliability issues in 2016.
Quite astonishing how Ferrari's campaign has collapsed.
Six weeks ago, Vettel was leading the championship.
The thing that will be so depressing for Ferrari is that this is self inflicted.
There was a start-line accident in Singapore between their drivers and then reliability effected Vettel and Raikkonenin the last race and now reliability again today.
There may be some glum faces in the Ferrari garage right now but they still have a job to do.
Sebastian Vettel, speaking to Sky Sports: "We have done an incredible job so far. Pity the last two races with reliability issues but it is like that sometimes. We are disappointed but we need to get some rest and go flat out for the next few races."
"We still have a chance this year. The team is in a good way, we are improving race by race. We got a lot further than people thought so there are some positives."
This is karma for Lewis after his reliability issues in 2016.
Quite astonishing how Ferrari's campaign has collapsed.
Six weeks ago, Vettel was leading the championship.
The thing that will be so depressing for Ferrari is that this is self inflicted.
There was a start-line accident in Singapore between their drivers and then reliability effected Vettel and Raikkonenin the last race and now reliability again today.
There may be some glum faces in the Ferrari garage right now but they still have a job to do.
Sebastian Vettel, speaking to Sky Sports: "We have done an incredible job so far. Pity the last two races with reliability issues but it is like that sometimes. We are disappointed but we need to get some rest and go flat out for the next few races."
"We still have a chance this year. The team is in a good way, we are improving race by race. We got a lot further than people thought so there are some positives."
Vettel gets reprimand for "failing to attend the national anthem at the the required time" on grid.
Probably not his biggest concern at the moment.......
Probably not his biggest concern at the moment.......
Race Results for Japan
You scored 141 points
The Top score was 184 points
Your World Ranking was: 230 / 10518
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Championship Standings
Pos Team Manager Pts
1 BMBabe Racing Stacey Jefferies 2114
2 HT HighTek Hard Top 1982
3 ZorgChampions2016 Gail Flint 1942
4 Team Westfield Andy McDonnell 1921
5 Mint Racing Mint 1887
6 Team Smiffy Smiffy 1858
7 Pudding club Paul Rice 1773
8 Kraken Racing Tim Sharpe 1748
9 thesaints 34 Chris Sharpe 1702
10 le chef torchey PRO 1608
You scored 141 points
The Top score was 184 points
Your World Ranking was: 230 / 10518
Friends League
Zroadster F1 2017
Passcode: 4685186
Championship Standings
Pos Team Manager Pts
1 BMBabe Racing Stacey Jefferies 2114
2 HT HighTek Hard Top 1982
3 ZorgChampions2016 Gail Flint 1942
4 Team Westfield Andy McDonnell 1921
5 Mint Racing Mint 1887
6 Team Smiffy Smiffy 1858
7 Pudding club Paul Rice 1773
8 Kraken Racing Tim Sharpe 1748
9 thesaints 34 Chris Sharpe 1702
10 le chef torchey PRO 1608
Friends League
ZroadsterF1 2017
Passcode: 4685186
Results from Japan
Pos Team Manager Pts
1 BMBabe Racing Stacey Jefferies 154
2 HT HighTek Hard Top 141
3 thesaints 34 Chris Sharpe 133
4 Team Westfield Andy McDonnell 122
5 Pudding club Paul Rice 116
6 Mint Racing Mint 115
7 ZorgChampions2016 Gail Flint 112
8 le chef torchey PRO 102
9 Team Smiffy Smiffy 86
10 Kraken Racing Tim Sharpe 67
ZroadsterF1 2017
Passcode: 4685186
Results from Japan
Pos Team Manager Pts
1 BMBabe Racing Stacey Jefferies 154
2 HT HighTek Hard Top 141
3 thesaints 34 Chris Sharpe 133
4 Team Westfield Andy McDonnell 122
5 Pudding club Paul Rice 116
6 Mint Racing Mint 115
7 ZorgChampions2016 Gail Flint 112
8 le chef torchey PRO 102
9 Team Smiffy Smiffy 86
10 Kraken Racing Tim Sharpe 67
Ferrari urged to address 'weird' problems
Kimi Räikkönen says that Ferrari must understand why it is encountering reliability problems during crucial stages of a race weekend, after Sebastian Vettel's Japanese Grand Prix failure.
Vettel suffered a spark plug failure prior to the race at Suzuka and, while he took the start from second spot, he lost ground early on, slipping to sixth place, due to his lack of straight line speed.
Vettel ultimately pulled into the pits, where Ferrari deemed the problem to be terminal and retired his car.
The issue came a week after Räikkönen was unable to start in Malaysia due to a turbo problem, and the Finn says Ferrari must get on top of its current malaise.
Alonso reprimanded for ignoring blue flags
McLaren driver Fernando Alonso has been reprimanded and handed penalty points for ignoring blue flags during the Japanese Grand Prix.
Alonso was battling Williams rival Felipe Massa for the final point at Suzuka when race leaders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen approached.
Hamilton spent over a lap behind Alonso, before completing a move at the hairpin, with Verstappen following him through shortly afterwards.
Alonso was promptly reported to the stewards for ignoring blue flags and, after an investigation, given a reprimand and two penalty points.
'It would be better if Massa retires
Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has suggested that it would be "better" if Felipe Massa retires, after his actions on the final lap of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Verstappen was compromised on the final lap, for while Hamilton was able to lap Massa along the pit straight, Verstappen could not get through until the Dunlop curve.
Verstappen, though, did not feel the incident impacted on his chances of winning the race.
"I think I wouldn't have passed Lewis anyway because it's really hard once he's in free air," he said.
"It was more like when Lewis was getting held up [by Alonso], I could close up and then maybe you can do something, but once he got past, even when I got held up, it's done."
