The Japanese Grand Prix ended the way it started - with red flags and wet weather. In the closing stages of the race, Jules Bianchi of Marussia, sustained serious injuries after crashing at Turn 7 - causing the race to be red flagged and eventually conclude nine laps premature.
On lap 43, the French driver allegedly lost control of his car, travelled along the run-off area and hit the back of a tractor which was present to recover Adrian Sutil's Sauber, which also skidded and hit the tyre barriers a lap earlier. Fortunately Sutil sustained no major injuries
Bianchi was conveyed to the nearest hospital, in an unconscious state, 10km away from the circuit and is believed to have undergone surgery after suffering a severe head injury.
"The CT scan shows that he has suffered a severe head injury and he is currently undergoing surgery. Following this he will be moved to intensive care where he will be monitored. Mie General Hospital will issue an update as soon as further information becomes available," read an initial FIA statement.
The Japanese Grand Prix started later than originally scheduled behind the safety car due to unfavourable weather conditions, with normal racing action commencing on lap nine.
Nico Rosberg led the race until team mate Lewis Hamilton overtook the German at Turn 1 on the 29th lap - and the pair kept their positions till the end of the race. The result sees Hamilton with 266 points, 10 points ahead of Rosberg in the Drivers' Championships with just four races to the end of the season.
The Red Bull pair of Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo finished behind the silver arrows with yet another strong performance and slick overtaking moves by the Australian driver. The Williams pair of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa could not deliver in the wet conditions and slipped backwards - eventually finishing in sixth and seventh - behind a strong Jenson Button in fifth.
It was a race to forget for Ferrari after Fernando Alonso retired for the second time this season after just two laps due to a power failure, while Kimi Raikkonen finished 12th.
Celebrations were kept to a bare minimum after the race with no champagne sprayed on the podium - as the paddock was concerned about the state of the 25-year old French driver. The high-octane racing action returns in the inaugural Russian Grand Prix this Sunday.
