Hamilton escapes sanction after stewards' enquiry

SHANGHAI, Oct 5 (Reuters) McLaren's Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton escaped sanction today after a stewards' enquiry into his driving at last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, the governing body FIA said.

Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel, who collided with Red Bull's Mark Webber in that race while following Hamilton behind the safety car, had a 10-place penalty on the Chinese Grand Prix starting grid replaced with a reprimand.

Hamilton can become Formula One's first rookie champion if he wins in China on Sunday.

REUTERS BJR RAI1827