Japanese Grand Prix 2010 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel delivered a commanding performance to win the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, leading home Mark Webber for Red Bull's third one-two finish of the season and cutting Fernando Alonso's championship lead to just 14 points. The young German's dominant display on one of Formula 1's most challenging circuits demonstrated Red Bull's returning form at the crucial stage of the championship battle, with just three races remaining to decide the most competitive title fight in years.

Vettel's pole lap of 1:30.785 showcased the RB6's superior aerodynamics at Suzuka's demanding combination of high-speed corners and technical sections. The German made a perfect start and controlled the race from the front, navigating the legendary figure-eight circuit with precision and authority. His pace through the challenging 130R and Spoon curves was exceptional, and he managed his tires expertly in the Japanese conditions. Webber followed him home in second place, setting the fastest lap and ensuring Red Bull maximized their points haul. The one-two finish marked Red Bull's return to dominance after their Monza struggles.

Alonso drove a strong damage-limitation race to finish third for Ferrari, keeping his championship lead intact but seeing it reduced significantly. The Spaniard extracted maximum performance from the F10 but couldn't match Red Bull's superior pace at Suzuka. Jenson Button finished fourth for McLaren, while Lewis Hamilton retired, effectively ending his championship hopes. The race at Suzuka's spectacular circuit provided thrilling racing and set up a dramatic three-way title fight for the final two races. Alonso led on 231 points, Webber had 220, and Vettel 206 - all three drivers could still claim the championship in Abu Dhabi. The stage was set for one of F1's most dramatic finales.