Force India return empty-handed from Japanese GP

The 14th lap brush with Heikki Kovalainen's McLaren compromised Adrian Sutil's race and the double finish was hardly a solace as Force India completed its Japanese Grand Prix campaign without a single point.

Considering Sutil's familiarity with the layout and its low-to-medium downforce suiting the car, it was a blown opportunity for Sutil who finished 13th, just ahead of teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi, who managed to improve on his unflattering 19th position on the starting grid.

Sebastian Vettel drove a copybook race at Suzuka to win the Japanese Grand Prix and stay afloat in the 2009 championship chase.

Jarno Trulli was second for Toyota, with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton following him at third.

Starting eight on the grid after copping a five-place penalty for Saturday's chaotic qualifying, Sutil took on a speeding Kovalainen coming into the chicane on lap 14.

Team chairman Vijay Mallya did not hide his disappointment at missing points.