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Formula 1
Japanese GP
2011 Japanese Grand Prix The Japanese Grand Prix
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Lap 28: Massa just ahead of Hamilton is one of the closest battles in the field, so more action can be expected between that pair.
Lap 28: The closest move into Turn 1 on the restart is Maldonado, who attempts to get past Kovalainen for 17th.
Lap 28: Button backed up the pack into the chicane but sprints off into the lead from Vettel, Alonso and Webber.
Lap 28: The safety car comes into the pitlane and we are racing once again.
Lap 27: No further action will be taken on that contact between Hamilton and Massa.
Lap 27: The safety car will pit at the end of this lap.
Lap 27: Behind Schumacher, the order is Petrov eighth, Perez ninth, di Resta 10th, Sutil 11th, Rosberg 12th, Kobayashi 13th and Barrichello 14th.
Lap 26: Maldonado pits the Williams and interestingly he falls behind Kovalainen, who takes over 17th place.
Lap 26: Petrov did not stop under the safety car and has gained track position. He runs in eighth place.
Lap 25: The contact between Hamilton and Massa is under investigation by the stewards.
Lap 25: Button leads from Vettel, Alonso, Webber, Massa and Hamilton as they line up behind the safety car.
Lap 25: Mercedes gives Rosberg a great turnaround and he edges ahead of Kobayashi on the exit of the pitlane as they accelerate towards Turn 1.
Lap 25: Di Resta, Kobayashi, Barrichello and Rosberg all come into the pits.
Lap 24: The leading runners are not in a pitstop window, needing to run a while longer before a switch to the harder tyres.
Lap 24: That debris from the Massa versus Hamilton contact approaching the chicane is the reason for the safety car.
Lap 24: Schumacher is the first to react with a stop in his Mercedes.
Lap 24: Several drivers from ninth position down have yet to some in for a second time. They may look to take advantage here.
Lap 24: The safety car has been deployed.
Lap 24: Hamilton is now shown in seventh, having fallen behind Schumacher who is yet to stop.
Lap 24: Sutil pits from eighth place in the Force India.
Lap 24: Kovalainen pits from 15th place and he is the first driver in that group down the order to stop for a second time, as Lotus looks to maintain a slight advantage over Maldonado and Senna.
Lap 24: Vettel has DRS on Button into the first corner but the drag reduction doesn't appear to help very much at this circuit.
Lap 23: Alonso is now chased by Webber, while Hamilton has lost out in that pitstop phase by falling behind Massa.
Lap 23: Meanwhile, Button has caught Ricciardo in the HRT, putting Vettel right back on his tail.
Lap 23: Kovalainen is coming under siege for the second time. He is 15th and driving a great race, but has Maldonado and Alguersuari right on him.
Lap 23: Massa pits from a very short spell in the lead.
Lap 23: Replays of that contact show Massa was alongside Hamilton into the chicane, with aerodyanmic pieces lost from the Ferrari once again.
Lap 22: That stop for Perez releases his team-mate Kobayashi into 10th with Barrichello 11th and under a strong attack from Rosberg.
Lap 22: Contact between Hamilton and Massa at the chicane! Minor parts sent flying as Hamilton dives for the pits.
Lap 21: Meanwhile, Webber is quick on his fresh rubber as well, hoping to vault past Hamilton and Massa.
Lap 21: Perez can see what's happening and he brings the Sauber in for a first stop.
Lap 21: It's just enough for the McLaren man as he steams into Turn 1 ahead of Vettel!
Lap 21: Di Resta has passed Perez and takes over ninth position.
Lap 21: Button pits from the lead.
Lap 20: Kobayashi is 11th with Barrichello 12th and Rosberg recovering reasonably well in 13th, Petrov 14th and Kovalainen 15th.
Lap 20: Red Bull will be hoping fresh, soft rubber is enough to keep Vettel in the lead while Button completes his lap on used rubber and in traffic
Lap 20: Perez is now ninth with di Resta 10th and now on the rear wing of the Sauber.
Lap 20: Webber also dives in on the same lap, making it a busy time in the Red Bull garage.
Lap 20: Sutil has passed Perez while the Mexican struggles on on his original set, to take over eighth position.
Lap 20: Leader Vettel pits, releasing Button to head the field.
By: Emlyn Hughes, Geoff Creighton
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