Webber kept Rosberg honest in the closing stages to take a relatively anonymous seventh place. Still, given the trouble and turmoil of his season so far, the Australian will likely be more than happy to record a lonely but nonetheless profitable two points for himself and Red Bull.

The final points place meanwhile went to Kovalainen, the Finn not quite able to make his one-stop strategy work as well as he had perhaps hoped, but nonetheless doing enough to hold off Kubica for the second time in the race during the closing stages. Indeed the duo were separated by no more than a second in the final ten laps and although the Pole tried everything he could to drive his way around him right up to the final corner, Kovalainen was able to hold on to maintain his run of points finishes.

There were no points Schumacher and Trulli in 10th and 11th as Toyota no doubt become increasingly frustrated at not being able to capitalise on the qualifying performance that had placed them eighth and tenth on the grid, although just behind Liuzzi was a happy 12th in what is his best result of the season.

Star of the early half of the race, Sutil, eventually brought the car home 14th, the youngster blotting his copybook when he made a mistake at Les Combes that ultimately cost him the chance to challenge Trulli further up the field. Nonetheless, the Dutch team will be hugely encouraged to see one of their cars ahead of Super Aguri at least, Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson finishing a disappointing 15th and 16th, while Sakon Yamamoto brought up the rear in 17th.

With the European season over, the Formula 1 circus now heads East to Japan and a first visit in several decades to the Fuji circuit, one that only the Toyota team have experience of.

With a potential level playing field at a crucial stage in the season, it remains to be seen who will have the advantage, but with the gloves off between Hamilton and Alonso, and Raikkonen potentially doing enough now to ensure Massa will be charged with helping him win the title, the Championship is still very much yet to be decided – on the track, at least….