Kimi Raikkonen won today’s Japanese Grand Prix with a brilliant drive from last to first and a pass on Giancarlo Fisichella for the win on the last lap. Raikkonen found himself at the back of the grid due to yet another 10 place penalty for changing an engine during the race weekend but he would probably have ended up there anyway as the clouds opened during his qualifying run and it was pouring with rain by the time he finished his lap.
Despite Raikkonen’s victory, a steady run by Fisichella and an equally impressive run through the pack by Fernando Alonso gave Renault a two-point lead over McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship as they head into the last race of the season in China this weekend.
Raikkonen’s teammate Juan Pablo Montoya was less fortunate in his attempt to charge through the field and his McLaren was wrecked after being pushed off of the track by Jacques Villeneuve on the first lap after an overly ambitious outside overtaking attempt.
| Position | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) | McLaren Mercedes | 10 |
| 2 | Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) | Renault | 8 |
| 3 | Fernando Alonso (ESP) | Renault | 6 |
| 4 | Mark Webber (AUS) | BMW WilliamsF1 | 5 |
| 5 | Jenson Button (GBR) | BAR Honda | 4 |
| 6 | David Coulthard (GBR) | Red Bull Racing | 3 |
| 7 | Michael Schumacher (GER) | Ferrari | 2 |
| 8 | Ralf Schumacher (GER) | Toyota | 1 |
| Fastest Qualifier: Ralf Schumacher (GER) | |||