There were changes to the grid fo the Japan GP that most people predicted as the FIA did not able to release the official list until 2 hours before the race. The official list was:
Pos Driver Weight (kg)
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 658.5
2. Trulli Toyota 655.5
3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 656.0
4. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber 660.0
5. Raikkonen Ferrari 661.0
6. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 660.5 *
7. Rosberg Williams-Toyota 684.5
8. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 650.0 *
9. Kubica BMW-Sauber 686.0
10. Button Brawn-Mercedes 658.5 *
11. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 675.0 **
12. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 682.5
13. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 665.4 *
14. Fisichella Ferrari 661.5
15. Nakajima Williams-Toyota 695.7
16. Alonso Renault 689.5 *
17. Grosjean Renault 691.8
18. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 682.5 **
19. Webber Red Bull-Renault - ***
20. Glock Toyota - ****
* Five-place grid penalty
** Five-place grid penalty for changing gearbox
*** New chassis so will start from the pitlane
**** Will not start due to injury
In the race Vettel took total control of an uneventable race and was only in trouble
when his 2nd pit stop was messed but he had such a lead that he did not suffer as a
result. Jarno gave Toyota their 2nd place in a week after he beat Lewis who
finished in 3rd, Kimi got a good 4th place after showing some pace in his Ferrari.
Nico got 5th place after he had to face the stewards after other drivers thought
that he sped under the safety car after it was sent out after Jaime Alguersuari had
a heavy crash at the 130R. Nick H had an excellent race to get 6th. Rubins (7th) got
just ahead of team mate Jenson (8th) to round off the point scorers.