Lap by lap coverage of the Japanese Grand Prix (Part 3)
After an exciting first quarter of the Japanese Grand Prix, the race kept getting better and better as the cars were now reaching their pitting time near the half way marker for the race.
During lap 16, Yamamoto made an error at Turn 1 and a very grateful Jarno Trulli took the advantage over 15th place. After an eventless 17th lap, Nico Rosberg was stuck behind the two Toro Rosso drivers in 13th
place, as Glock tried to take over Yamamoto for the 16th place. The Red Bull’s pace was now easing out in the front, with Alonso beating both of them on lap time after the 18th lap.
Kobayashi, who was at 10th place, was now continuing to attack on his hard tyres. He was behind Adrian Sutil who began to put some pressure on the German. Kamui sent another daredevil move at the hairpin to take over another place. He was not
at the ninth place after another good move. Webber scored his best time of the race so far and closed in just two seconds of his teammate. Kobayashi managed to find overtaking opportunities during the 19th lap where the others never dared to try
as Heidfeld and Sutil came into the pits to change the tyres.
The overtaking attempts continued as Timo Glock tried to get past Yamamoto again but the Japanese driver held his line to defend the 16th place.
Vettel scored the fastest lap after a slight lull in pace over recent minutes during the 20th lap. Race control announced that the incident between Massa and Liuzzi at Turn 1 would now be investigated by the stewards along with the clash between
Petrov and Hulkenberg off the start that will also be looked at by officials.
Glock had a massive go at Yamamoto as they blasted downhill into the first corner, but again failed to get through as the HRT driver chopped across him to take the line during the 22nd lap. Rubens Barrichello was in the pits from seventh position
before rejoining after a total pit lane time of 23.5 seconds. Glock tried to overtake from the outside of Yamamoto this time before going into Turn 1 but the Japanese driver continued to hold 16th.
Jaime Alguersuari decided to pit as well and took on the soft tyres in a rapid 3.9 second stop. He rejoined further down the order as he entered lap 23. Michael Schumacher was 20.8 seconds behind race leader Vettel so the Red Bull team was
aware that they would be clear of the German if they decided to pit. On the other hand, McLaren are in the pits to receive Hamilton.
Hamilton needed some fast laps on fresh rubbers but he came out behind Kobayashi who was yet to pit. Barrichello rejoined from his stop in 11th position and was 4.5 seconds behind Nick Heidfeld when he crossed the start finish line to begin the
24th lap. It seemed that Alonso was going to come to the pits in this lap but Alonso opted not to pit his Ferrari after traffic on that lap. Michael Schumacher came to the pits from sixth position and the German was trying to stay ahead of Barrichello.
Alonso was deep in traffic before passing Glock to get behind Yamamoto's HRT. Schumacher took on the harder tyres before rejoining in ninth position after a 3.7 seconds stop. Hamilton was tailing Kobayashi as race leader Vettel went into the pits. Alonso
was in the pits as well and it turned into a pit stop race. Vettel was down and away, with Alonso eventually chasing him out of the pits. Hamilton sent a brave move down the inside of Kobayashi into Turn 1 of the 25th lap in a vital move for the
McLaren man.
Hamilton succeeded to take the 5th place and needed some fast laps in order for him to leapfrog teammate Jenson Button. Hamilton scored the fastest first sector as he was released on fresh tyres.
With most of the teams done with their expected pit stops, it was now down to the drivers and the cars to do the work for the rest of the race.
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