Currently reading: Vettel clinches second world title
Vettel's third-place finish was enough to clinch the young German's second world championship title

Sebastian Vettel has clinched his second world championship title after finishing third in Japan, behind race winner Jenson Button.

With the German champion starting the race on pole position, a fast-starting Button was forced on to the grass as the Red Bull driver defended his position. Button called for the incident to be investigated, but no action was taken.

See all the best pics from the Japanese grand prix

Button’s evasive move gave team-mate Lewis Hamilton second place into the first corner, however a right rear puncture early on allowed Button back through.

Decicisive pit stops gave Button the lead from Vettel, followed closely by Alonso, who leap-frogged the German in the third round of stops.

Despite a safety car period - prompted by yet another clash between Hamilton and Massa - Button kept hold of the lead to clinch his third victory of the season. The top three cars were covered by just two seconds.

Vettel’s second world championship makes him the youngest consecutive champion of all time. He already has a remarkable haul of records, including youngest world champion, youngest pole sitter and youngest winner of an F1 grand prix.

Japan's Kamui Kobayashi's finished a disappointing 13th for Sauber, thanks to a poor start, which kept him behind the two Force Indias.

Classified top 10 drivers after 53 laps (unofficial timings)

1. Button – McLaren-Mercedes – 1hr 30min 53.427secs2. Alonso – Ferrari - +1.160s3. Vettel – Reb-Bull Renault - +2.006s4. Webber – Red-Bull Renault - +8.071s5. Hamilton – McLaren-Mercedes - +24.268s6. Schumacher – Mercedes GP - +27.120s7. Massa – Ferrari - +28.240s8. Perez – Sauber-Ferrari - +39.377s9. Petrov – Renault - +42.607s10. Rosberg – Mercedes GP - +44.322s

Read about Vettel's first championship title victory

Thomas Hymas

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