Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday but will have to wait to seal a fourth straight Formula One title as nearest rival Fernando Alonso finished fourth.

Vettel surged into the lead on the 41st lap and led a Red Bull one-two ahead of teammate Mark Webber by 7.1 seconds. Webber, who started from pole position, passed Lotus' Romain Grosjean on the penultimate lap. Grosjean led much of the race but could not take his maiden F1 victory and finished third.

It was Vettel's fourth win in the past five races at Suzuka and his ninth win of the season.

"We had a great car and were fast again this year," Vettel said. "Being able to finish on the podium and to win four times here is incredible. The fans here are incredible, they really respect us."

Vettel managed the rare feat of a fifth-straight race win and leads the championship by 90 points from Alonso with four races remaining.

(China Daily 10/14/2013 page23)