Hamilton wins in Japan to move to brink of title

Lewis Hamilton crosses the finish line to win the Japanese Grand Prix yesterday at the Fuji Speedway west of Tokyo. PHOTO: EPA

Lewis Hamilton won a wet-and-wild Japanese Grand Prix yesterday to move to the verge of the Formula One title with two races to go after his main rival and McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso crashed out of the race.

Heikki Kovalainen of Renault was second and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen finished third in a rain affected race that started behind the pace car and had spins, bumps and crashes throughout its 67-laps.

Hamilton has a 12-point lead in the drivers standings -- 107-95. He can win the world title in his rookie season in China next week if he finishes with at least an 11-point lead over defending champion Alonso.

Alonso still win the title but needs a lot of luck.

His luck deserted him at the Fuji Speedway when he spun and hit the wall hard on the 42nd lap. His car stopped in the middle of the track with debris around him.

"When I was braking for turn five I just aquaplaned the car and spun," he said. "Unfortunately the walls at that corner are very close to the track so I hit the barrier heavily and that was it."