Sebastian Vettel doesn’t move from the first position, the German fromRed Bull now has options to be 4 times World Champion in Japan with today’s victory achieved at the Yeongam circuit in Korea. Alongside Vettel on the podium were Raikkonen and Grosjean.
Start focused on the third curve that became very aggressive as Gutierrez entered the first corner, and at the third turn of the circuit Grosjean got second advancing Hamilton, and Alonso was overtaken by Hulkenberg when Felipe Massa suffered a spin, hitching Maldonado to get ninth, Vettel retained the preferred position and then imposed his rhythm from the very beginning.
The super soft tyres have not endured much on the track and the drivers immediately took it off, Vettel stopped on lap 12, and was at first followed by Grosjean, Hamilton, Rosberg, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Raikkonen, Webber, Button and Perez.
It began the round of second pit stops with Jenson Button on lap 23, this has been good for Raikkonen who has managed to get into podium positions, but Perez punctured the tyre causing the safety car to come out for the first time in the race, and this made Vettel and Grosjean stop in the pits, as Webber who had been standing back and was about to crash because of Perez’s flat tyre.
When the safety car was out of the track, Hamilton overtook Hulkenberg and got fourth, also Sutil touched Webber because of a spin with his Force India, this accident broke the Red Bull’s escape, and made the Australian to retire making his car catch fire, Raikkonen took advantage of the fuss to beat Grosjean just before the appearance of the safety car again.
With only 14 laps to go, when the safety car was leaving and Alonso kept a struggle side by side with Hamilton for fifth place, but Hamilton succeeded and pressure Hulkenberg for fourth place.
But the fight was back in the fourth, Hamilton managed to overtake Hulkenberg but this gave back position and began to try to beat Alonso and Hamilton.
Vettel could be champion next race in Suzuka if Alonso finishes the race in 9th or lower position.
Vettel could be champion next race in Suzuka if Alonso finishes the race in 9th or lower position.