Weekend review and results round-up
There was barely any doubt that Sebastian Vettel would wrap up the 2011 Formula 1 title at Suzuka, but the weekend still held plenty of surprises, with a distracted Vettel crashing on Friday, looking on the back foot right through practice, then superbly grabbing pole, before finding himself defeated by Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso in an absolutely superb race
The jubilant champion even fitted in a little controversy by squeezing Button off the start, although while the race winner was openly peeved about this moment, Button still led the paddock's praise of and congratulations for Vettel on his day of title triumph.
The championship fight may be over earlier than expected, but the news and gossip rolls on. It was another tumultuous weekend for Lewis Hamilton - involved in a bizarre traffic jam incident with Mark Webber and Michael Schumacher in qualifying then clashing with Felipe Massa yet again in the race.
New developments in the Lotus Renault GP/Team Lotus-Renault name row saw it emerge that talks would have to be held to get the name change proposals through the F1 Commission, and that Renault team co-owner Gerard Lopez was poised to take a major share in Group Lotus.
Existing controversies kept rumbling too - Pirelli reiterated its frustration with teams that sit out elements of qualifying to save tyres, and doubts started to grow about F1's planned return to Bahrain next year.
Away from F1, Australia's famous Bathurst 1000 produced one of its most nail-biting finishes ever, as Garth Tander clung on amid huge pressure from Craig Lowndes, to win for himself and partner Nick Percat.
The Formula Renault 3.5 title was settled in chaotic fashion as Robert Wickens clashed with title rival and Carlin team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne, then found another car using him as a launchpad, then watched Vergne taken out by someone else too - making the Canadian the new champion after all.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup title race swung back towards Jimmie Johnson, yet again, as the five-time champiin ran away with the series' Kansas round.
The F1 sessions
Button top in practice one as Vettel crashes
Button remains fastest in practice two at Suzuka
Button stays on top in final practice
Vettel just pips Button to Suzuka pole
Vettel clinches title as Button wins
The F1 headlines
Barrichello: Raikkonen not best choice
Massa won't discuss Hamilton's driving
Vettel ignoring title buzz at Suzuka
Hamilton not dwelling on poor season
Lotus/Renault face name change debate
Vettel: Practice crash a wake-up call
Mallya denies planning to sell F1 team
Hamilton: Schumacher move dangerous
Webber: Q3 mess 'no one's fault'
Hembery: Tyre-saving robbing the fans
Lopez set to buy into Group Lotus
Teams concerned over Bahrain return
Massa hits out at Hamilton again
Vettel: I didn't see Button at start
Vettel pushed without thinking of title
The motorsport action
IRC: Mikkelsen claims breakthrough win
British F3: Magnussen dominates race one
British F3: Sims wins on F3 return at Silverstone
British F3: Huertas beats Magnussen in finale
Formula Renault 3.5: Wickens wins, Vergne flies to second
Formula Renault 3.5: Wickens takes title, Costa wins race
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