Jack Leslie F1: 2014 Japanese Grand Prix in pictures

The rain-affected and shortened Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka was won by Lewis Hamilton in tricky conditions. Here is the race weekend in pictures.

Sunday was a dark day for F1 after Jules Bianchi's serious accident at turn seven. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Marussia driver, his family and friends.

The images featured in this piece are courtesy of Octane Photographic.

Friday

Nico Rosberg was fastest for Mercedes in the opening practice session at Suzuka.

Roberto Merhi replaces home hero Kamui Kobayashi at Caterham for FP1.

Max Verstappen made history by becoming the youngest ever driver to compete in an F1 race weekend session when he replaced Jean-Eric Vergne for first practice.

Conditions remained warm and dry on Friday at the track, with Typhoon Phanfone closing in on Japan.

The second session was eventful to say the least. Vergne stopped twice on track, while Kobayashi crashed out early on.

Daniel Ricciardo also found the wall after an error at the final corner, and he was joined on the sidelines by Esteban Gutierrez shortly after.

Lewis Hamilton ended practice two at the top of the timesheets, as the field tried out the medium compound tyres for the first time at the circuit.

Saturday

Rosberg was fastest in the dry final practice session on Saturday morning, as Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen hit trouble.

All eyes were on Vettel on Saturday, after the German announced that he will leave Red Bull Racing at the end of 2014.

Romain Grosjean was eliminated from qualifying in the first session. He finished in 18th place, behind his team-mate Pastor Maldonado (who also found himself in the drop-zone) and ahead of Marcus Ericsson, Jules Bianchi, Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson.

Both Force India drivers exited qualifying in the second segment. Sergio Perez was 12th, behind Jean-Eric Vergne, with Nico Hulkenberg in 14th. Daniil Kvyat separated the duo, with Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutierrez completing the drop-zone.

Rosberg snatched pole position in Q3 by three tenths from Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

Kimi Raikkonen completed the top 10 in Q3. Felipe Massa was fourth, ahead of Fernando Alonso, Daniel Ricciardo, Kevin Magnussen, Jenson Button and Vettel.

Sunday

The approaching Typhoon Phanfone brought heavy rain to Suzuka on Sunday. The race started behind the safety car due to the treacherous conditions.

Ericsson proved just how tricky conditions were by spinning behind the safety car on lap one.

The Japanese Grand Prix was red flagged after two laps, with the field taking to the pit lane.

The F1 gazebos made a return in the pit lane as teams and drivers prepared for the restart.

The field eventually returned to the track behind the safety car, but visibility was still poor.

Alonso was forced to retire his car on lap four after an electrical problem. He had been running in fifth place.

The safety car took to the pit lane at the end of lap nine, releasing the pack.

Button was the first to stop for intermediates. He pitted as soon as the safety car came in and the gamble worked very well, with the Brit jumping from seventh to third.

Hamilton had a clear pace advantage in the second stint and quickly closed in on Rosberg, after losing time in the first phase of pit stops. He passed him on lap 29 in a spectacular move around the outside at turn one.

The red flag was brought out and the race was cut short, with the results being taken from lap 44, after a serious crash for Bianchi at turn seven. He collided with a recovery vehicle after losing control of his Marussia. He suffered a severe head injury and was taken to hospital to undergo surgery. My thoughts are with him.

Hamilton took the win but everyone's thoughts were and continue to be with Bianchi after the race.

The mood on the podium was obviously downbeat and - out of respect for Bianchi - Hamilton, Rosberg and Vettel didn't celebrate their results.

Forza Jules.

6 October 2014

2014 Japanese Grand Prix in pictures

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