F1i's Driver Ratings for the Japanese GP

'
' '

Another race another triumph for Lewis Hamilton on the Asian swing, while his front row rival lost his spark at the outset after a plug issue on the formation lap. Sebastian Vettel's title hopes were dealt a massive blow at Suzuka, and the championship is now Hamilton's to lose. F1i rates and reviews the drivers' action from the Land of the Rising Sun.

F1 Japanese GP Race Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz (DNF) : NC

Sainz certainly didn’t plan it to end this way. His FP1 off resulted in a 20 place grid penalty, making qualifying a futile exercice. He pushed hard at the start. Too hard in fact, ending his time with Toro Rosso in a cloud of dust. Renault is expecting more - a lot more, from Carlos.