Vettel wins Japanese Grand Prix, Alonso fourth

SUZUKA, Japan – Sebastian Vettel won the Japanese Grand Prix Sunday but missed out on sealing his fourth successive world title as his nearest rival, Fernando Alonso, stayed just in touch by placing fourth.

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel AP PHOTO

Vettel, third from the first lap, drove a superb race to reel in his Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber and Lotus’s Romain Grosjean, who were second and third, for his fifth straight victory.