Imperious Hamilton claims win

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton won an action-packed Japanese Grand Prix and took a massive step towards becoming the first rookie to win the Formula One driver’s world championship after closest rival Fernando Alonso failed to finish at a sodden Fuji Speedway.

The 22-year-old overcame terrible conditions, two safety car periods and all manner of incidents with a mature drive to claim his fourth win of the season and open up a 12-point lead over his team-mate at the top of the drivers’ standings with just two races to go.