Sébastien Buemi was disappointed to retire his Toro Rosso after 12 laps in the Japanese Grand Prix. During his first tyre change a faulty wheel attachment quashed his legitimate ambition to figure well in the 15^th round of the championship.

Everything started well for the Vaudois who made another impressive start, gaining 4 positions in the first lap and sustaining a high rhythm during the first part of the race. After sacrificing qualifying laps to save tyres the day before, Buemi knew he was well equipped to face the high tyre degradation on the Suzuka circuit and the scuderia could count on a comfortable three pit stops strategy.

10^th after 12 laps as the leaders made their first pit stop, Buemi was going to be the first victim of a mechanical mistake and the only retirement of the race. During his first change of tyres, the faulty installation of a wheel nut was to plunge into dismay the whole Toro Rosso team and supporters. It was painful watching the slow STR-Ferrari quitting the track to find his right front wheel coming off. After this unfortunate incident the team is investigating the reason why the wheel was improperly secured.

The other Toro Rosso of Jaime Alguersuari didn’t make significant progress after losing 3 positions at the start and he finished the race 15^th.

Perhaps the Toro Rosso drivers and team could share the joy of the sister team Red Bull, and celebrate with the “old Toro Rosso boy” Sebastian Vettel newly crowned World Champion.