Sebastian Vettel won the 2013 Japanese Grand Prix, effectively narrowing the championship to a two-man contest between himself and Fernando Alonso.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
- Race distance
- 53 laps
- Season round
- 15th of the 2013 Formula One season
- Japanese GP running
- 39th edition
- Red Bull one-two finishes
- 14th in Formula One history
- Vettel championship lead
- 90 points over Fernando Alonso
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Entering the fifteenth round of the 2013 Formula One season at Suzuka, Sebastian Vettel led the drivers' championship by a wide margin. Pole-sitter Mark Webber adopted a three-stop strategy that ultimately proved unsuccessful, while Lewis Hamilton retired early after a collision with Vettel on lap one caused puncture damage.
The 2013 Japanese Grand Prix was held on 13 October at Suzuka Circuit over 53 laps. Vettel, starting second, took victory ahead of Webber, with Romain Grosjean completing the podium in third for Lotus F1. The result marked Red Bull's 14th one-two finish in Formula One history.
The result did not clinch the title for Vettel at Suzuka, but left him requiring only fifth place at the next race in India to become world champion. Hamilton and Räikkönen fell mathematically out of the championship contest, leaving only Alonso capable of denying Vettel a fourth consecutive title.