Congratulations to Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, who this morning claimed his second world title at the fabulous Suzuka circuit in Japan.
At 24 years and 98 days, the German racer became the youngest double world champion, pipping Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in the process.
Vettel’s success means he also becomes only the ninth driver to achieve the feat, alongside Alberto Ascari, Juan-Manuel Fangio, Jack Brabham, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and the aforementioned Alonso.
In today’s Grand Prix, Vettel edged fellow front row man Jenson Button on to the grass approaching turn one, before being jumped later in the pitstops.
A mid-race safety car to clear debris left by another collision between Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton brought the field together once again. Vettel, in traffic, pitted early, allowing Alonso the opportunity to grab 2nd place – a position he would not give up for the duration.
From there, Button took the victory, holding only a narrow margin ahead of the Alonso / Vettel pairing.
More later…
