Vettel would probably would have probably finished 20-30 seconds ahead if it weren't for the safety car and traffic. The time Button lost in traffic at the end was probably the same amount Vettel lost as Vettel had to go past the same cars. It was not free time he gained on Button as he lost the time first.
And if you read all of my post, I acknowledged the fact that the safety car worked to Button's advantage. The safety car happened independantly of the leader battle, drivers and teams have to account for things like this, whether it plays to their advantage or not. On the restart Button was held up enough to mean that his final charge on the last stint fell short. Without the safety car, I agree he wouldn't have come close. Button was held up by a driver who was breaking the rules and was penalised for it, which means the time he lost was no different in nature (Not total time lost) to the time Massa lost after contact with Hamilton.
Unlike the BBC team, I do not believe that traffic that both drivers came across (Like the two Williams' battling for position) held Jenson up more than they did Vettel. Infact looking at some of the laptimes, I would argue they held up Vettel more.
Vettel could've won by a country mile but just saved the car once he got the 10 second gap to Button (at the start and the restart).
If there had been no safety car, yes. Vettel had a big cushion after the first stint but used too much fuel and had to save it in the final stint. Button was always going to catch up after the safety car due to the different fuel/engine modes; it was just a matter of how much he caught up. Button's attack at the end only fell short because of Kobayashi. A penalty is deserved but it's just as much an injustice as Massa being wiped out by Hamilton because at the end he lost the opportunity to win the race.
Anyway we know Vettel won so my point is irrelevant. Kobayashi was penalised so the Stewards have done what they can. Hopefully they will make a designated overtaking point during a safety car for cars lapping over drivers or something. I preferred the time when the safety car would collect the cars in race order.
I think next year Ferrari will be a stronger force. We saw in Silverstone how they seemed more competitive without the blown diffuser and went on to win that race (Yes, Vettel's pitstop probably had something to do with it, but you can't deny Ferrari were easily matching their pace).
EDIT: I wonder... If Vettel retires in Japan and the two Mclarens are leading after that, would Hamilton move over for Button?
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