Lewis Hamilton has won a heavily
rain-hit Japanese GP but the Suzuka
race was stopped nine laps early
following an accident involving
Marussia's Jules Bianchi.
Hamilton was comfortably leading the
race from team-mate and title rival
Nico Rosberg having passed the
German earlier in the race when the
Safety Car was called for the second
time of day on lap 44.
Although details on the incident
which stopped the race remain
unconfirmed, medical crews were
dispatched to attend to Marussia
driver Bianchi after the Frenchman's
car went off the circuit in increasing
rain. Sauber's Adrian Sutil had just
been off the circuit at the same point
after a heavy impact with the barriers.
An ambulance was sent to the scene
of the accident and Bianchi was soon
taken to the circuit medical centre. A
sombre air swiftly descended on all at
Suzuka as the paddock awaited for
news on the Marussia driver's
condition with muted celebrations
following on the podium.
Rosberg finished second with
Sebastian Vettel third for Red Bull on
countback, with the result taken from
the lap before the race was red-
flagged. The German had slipped
down the order behind team-mate
Daniel Ricciardo when he pitted for
wet tyres under the Safety Car.
Hamilton now leads the standings by
ten points after his third win in
succession and eighth of the
campaign.