Japanese Grand Prix 2011 - Vettel becomes World Champion

[newhorizon]

A new world champion deserves a new thread, from the Quali one so hoping everyone who follows F1 has watched the race or its race repeats later in the day by now...as VETTEL is now a Double World Champion!! for 2011.

Although he didn't win, he still managed a podium by coming 3rd.
Let's not forget at how many times this season Vettel has won, it is 9 times!
That's 9 out of 15 races he has won and those he didn't win, he was always on the podium finishing 2nd or 3rd, except for once where his worst ever finish was 4th in Germany. That is some record.

Jenson Button came 1st, and was delighted and had big celebrations at the Mclaren garage (video posted later).

Think Jenson, has got better as the season has gone on, sadly not enough time for him to challenge Vettel in any way as he was long gone in terms of Championship points.

Today's race results at Suzuka:

1 4 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 53 1:30.53.427 2 25
2 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 53 +1.1 secs 5 18
3 1 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 53 +2.0 secs 1 15
4 2 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 53 +8.0 secs 6 12
5 3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 53 +24.2 secs 3 10
6 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 53 +27.1 secs 8 8
7 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 53 +28.2 secs 4 6
8 17 Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 53 +39.3 secs 17 4
9 10 Vitaly Petrov Renault 53 +42.6 secs 10 2
10 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 53 +44.3 secs 23 1

And how does that leave the Drivers Championship (which is concluded, but 2nd, 3rd, 4th is so close and still all to fight for)
1 Sebastian Vettel German RBR-Renault 324
2 Jenson Button British McLaren-Mercedes 210
3 Fernando Alonso Spanish Ferrari 202
4 Mark Webber Australian RBR-Renault 194
5 Lewis Hamilton British McLaren-Mercedes 178
6 Felipe Massa Brazilian Ferrari 90
7 Nico Rosberg German Mercedes 63
8 Michael Schumacher German Mercedes 60



The 2011 season is not over yet we still have 4 races to go:

Korea 16/10/2011
India * 30/10/2011 * new circuit
Abu Dhabi 13/11/2011
Brazil 27/11/2011

What was so interesting today was just how close the top 3 teams were today in terms of speed, etc Mclaren, Ferrari seem to be very close to Red bull now, and Jenson was quoted as saying he wants to win every race from now on in the races that remain.

However, today is one man's day only and that is Vettel!

[Sally-Ann]

Had a power cut and missed the entire race....Extremely gutted... but chuffed for Button and Alonso. Nice podium

[Sunny Seasider]

Well done Vettel, well deserved Champion.

[newhorizon]

Great cheer dancing SunnyS.!

Oh no SallyAnn, will see if can load a video of highlights later, have one of the post-race celebrations of Mclaren and Red Bull, and an interview with Papa Smurf (aka Vettel's dad).


For now, Vettel and Red Bull's post-race celebrations this evening in Japan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NiSyRHjpl0

[Harem]

Our scheduled power outage from 7 a.m until 1 p.m. didn't take place so we were able to watch the Japanese GP - until 10.30 when the outage occurred!!!!! Three quarters of the way through the race and we didn't get to see the last quarter! The power didn't come back on due partly to the weather so didn't even to get the result on the news.

[sgagnon]

Aside from all the Vettel fans, I think everyone would have wanted a world championship to be decided right at the checkered flag at the end of the final race, but we had to sit and watch something that has already been decided.

But they are still races so we just have to look out of some interesting parts of it. I am rooting for Alonso this year but I think it was a tough climb for him and the mclaren boys as well.