Suzuka

[Cap]

Despite being considered one of the finest race tracks in the world, for me, yesterdays GP failed to thrill. All it's really done is throw the championship up into the air which, if there are no more DNF's for the top 2 over the next 5 races, will take the DWC down to the wire. I'm split now as to who I'd like to see lift the crown. Alonso deserves it for punching above the cars weight all season, yet only Fangio and Schumacher have won 3 in a row, so it would be special for Vettel. Nevertheless, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Kimi or Hamilton can bag the title if DNF's do come into play for the other two. Game on, I guess!

As for the race, I doubt Grosjean will have a seat next year after yet another attempt to win the race at the first corner but Massa may have done enough to retain his. Amazing scenes to see the normally inscrutable Japs screaming and shouting for Kobi and giving him a standing ovation! I wonder if he'll be with Sauber next season - I do hope so - the grid will be a more sanitized place without him. Perez rather blotted his copybook, he's going to have sharpen up if he doesn't want his seat at McLaren to be a one hit wonder.

It seems no matter what Lewis tries to do to catch Alonso/Vettel, nothings working for him. Had his car been to his liking he could have narrowed the gap by 10 points or more. Bit of a shame for Jense too to have suffered a 5 place grid drop - the way he went he could have taken 2nd place.

Vettel was uncatchable - shades of 2011 - pretty boring!

Now that Schumacher has finally decided to hang up his helmet for good, it'll be interesting to see what the remainder of the driver merry-go-round offers up. It was mentioned that there are a few surprises in the offing. Personally it wouldn't surprise me if Hulkenberg takes Massa's seat, Massa moves to Sauber and Jules Bianchi pops into Force India. The latter was Hulkenbergs teammate in Formula 3 Euro Series and managed by Nicolas Todt so his connections are strong. Valtteri Bottas, also considered a future champ, could turn up somewhere, possibly Williams as I doubt Bruno Senna will be retained, or even Lotus.

The next 5 races are shaping up for a grandstand finish.