Hamilton Wins Japanese GP, But All Eyes Are On Seriously-Injured Bianchi

Lewis Hamilton stormed to his eighth victory of the 2014 season in tricky and challenging wet weather conditions at the Suzuka circuit. The Brit passed pole-sitter Nico Rosberg around the outside at turn one mid-way through the race to take the win.

Sebastian Vettel, who announced on Saturday morning that he will leave Red Bull at the end of the year, finished third and Daniel Ricciardo was fourth. Jenson Button was fifth for McLaren. Here are some memorable moments:

1. Rain, rain, go away

The approaching Typhoon Phanfone brought heavy rain showers to Suzuka before the race. It started behind the safety car due to the conditions. Drivers struggled to keep their cars on the track, with Marcus Ericsson spinning off at turn one.

2. Red flag

The race was red flagged for the first time at the end of lap two. The drivers followed the safety car into the pit lane, before resuming 15 minutes later after the rain eased up.

3. Alonso exits the race

Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari F14 T obviously didn’t enjoy the wet conditions, with an electrical problem causing him to retire from the race on lap four behind the safety car.

4. Button and McLaren gamble

Jenson Button was the first driver to pit for intermediate Pirelli tyres at the end of lap nine, immediately after the safety car released the field. The Brit kicked off the first pit stops and jumped from eighth to third.

5. Hamilton makes his move

After closing in on Rosberg - who was struggling with his rear tyres - just before the second round of pit stops, Hamilton displaced his team-mate for the lead with a fantastic move around the outside at turn one.

6. Tricky conditions

There were plenty of off-track excursions during the race, thanks to the challenging weather conditions, including a spin for Kevin Magnussen and even trips to the run-off areas and gravel traps for Hamilton and Vettel.

7. Sutil crashes

Adrian Sutil crashed out of the race on lap 40 after losing control of his Sauber C33 at turn seven.

8. Race cut short, Hamilton wins

The race was red flagged shortly after Sutil’s crash, after Jules Bianchi went off at the same corner and hit a recovery vehicle. He was transported unconscious to hospital with, the FIA later confirmed, severe head injuries. The latest update from the sport’s governing body says he will be transferred to intensive care after surgery.

The results were taken from lap 44, with Hamilton winning the race from Rosberg and Vettel. Daniel Ricciardo was fourth and Button was fifth, dropping back after running third after his strategy gamble.

Our thoughts are with Bianchi and his family at this time.