McLaren’s Raikkonen started the rain-hit Japanese event from only 17th, but in the race he had arguably the best pace and by the last lap was just a tenth behind race leader, Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella. As the duo went into Turn One for the final time they were wheel-to-wheel and Raikkonen managed to go round the outside of the Italian and into the lead to seal his ninth F1 victory in spectacular fashion.