Suzuka winner Jenson Button says the Japanese Grand Prix result shows that Formula 1 is in for a highly competitive end to the season, despite Sebastian Vettel clinching the World Championship.
Button's victorious McLaren finished just 1.1 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso at Suzuka, with Vettel's Red Bull a further 0.8sec behind.
"It gives us as a team a lot of motivation," said Button. "It is good to see three different cars within three seconds, it shows how competitive F1 is at the moment."
The result was Button's first win for McLaren in a totally dry race, and his third of the season. He praised the improvements the team has made recently.
"I need to say a big thanks to the team for the improvements we had over the last few races and today they were impeccable, congratulations to them," said Button, who also congratulated Vettel on his second world championship.
"I think it should be Seb who we talk about because this guy has done a good job this year," Button said. "However, hard we tried we have not been able to touch him all year, so congratulations."
Button added that he was particularly pleased to win in Japan given what the country had suffered this year after the earthquake and tsunami in March.
"This circuit is very special to all of us," he said. "We love this place so to get a victory here in front of such an amazing Japanese crowd really does mean a lot, and we put a good show on for the fans.
"The fans are so supportive, we tried to do a bit to help them and plant a little memory in their minds."