Alonso wins as Hamilton lead is cut

8:51am Sunday 12th October 2008

Fernando Alonso secured his second successive Formula One victory after winning the Japanese Grand Prix while world championship leader Lewis Hamilton failed to finished inside the points.

The Renault driver, starting fourth on the grid, followed up his victory in Singapore with another win but a disastrous start for Hamilton meant the McLaren driver could only manage 12th.

BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica claimed second place while Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen finished third.

Hamilton's title rival Felipe Massa cut the gap at the top of the driver standings to six points after finishing eighth.

Alonso's team-mate Nelson Piquet took fourth place while Jarno Trulli ensured Fuji Speedway circuit owners Toyota had a pleasing finish by claiming fifth.

Toro Rosso pair Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastian Vettel were sixth and seventh respectively with Massa eighth.

Red Bull's Mark Webber and BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld completed the top 10.

Honda's Jenson Button finished 14th while David Coulthard's race was brought to an abrupt end the Red Bull driver crashed early on.

The race got off to a frenetic start as Coulthard's session came to an almost immediate end when the Scot crashed heavily.

Hamilton led at turn one but was too quick into the first corner and consequently dropped places. Then disaster struck for the 23-year-old when he spun following contact with Massa and had to enter the pits before eventually finishing 12th.

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