Formula One championship leader Fernando Alonso spun out of the Japanese Grand Prix at the first corner on Sunday.
Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (L) signs his autograph for a fan at the paddock during the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit, on October 7. Alonso later spun out of the race, at the first corner.
Alonso's Ferrari kicked up plumes of dust as he left the track seconds after the start, after a possible nudge from Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen, forcing an immediate safety car as marshals cleared the track.
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg also out of the race after an early mishap and Red Bull's Mark Webber, who started second on the grid, was shunted on the first turn by Romain Grosjean and dropped back to 22nd.
Red Bull's double defending world champion Sebastian Vettel, who started on pole position, remained in front after the race was re-started when the safety car withdrew.
Vettel is 29 points behind Alonso in the championship race and won in Singapore last month to revive hopes of sealing a hat-trick of Formula One world titles.