Vettel's victory in the Japanese Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel has moved to within four points of Fernando Alonso in the world championship fight, after Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix saw Red Bull dominate and Ferrari’s leader meet with another first-corner disaster. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel took a dominant victory in the Japanese Grand Prix to put himself in a strong position to win the world title.

Championship leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari retired on the first lap and had to watch as Vettel cut his lead to four points. Felipe Massa brought some consolation for the Scuderia, with a superb second place, while Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi was a very popular third on home soil for his first F1 podium.

2012 FORMULA 1 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX

1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Renault

2 Felipe Massa Ferrari

3 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari

4 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes

5 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes

6 Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault

7 Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes

8 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault

9 Mark Webber Red Bull Renault

10 Daniel Ricciardo STR-Ferrari

Ret 25 Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 37 +16 Laps 21

Ret 23 Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 32 +21 Laps 24

Ret 15 Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 18 +35 Laps 5

Ret 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 0 +53 Laps

6 Ret 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 0 +53 Laps 13