SUZUKA – Valtteri Bottas enjoyed a controlled victory at
the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday as Mercedes wrapped up a sixth
consecutive constructors' championship.
Bottas took the chequered flag at Suzuka ahead of Sebastian Vettel in
a Ferrari and Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who can now capture
his sixth world championship title at the Mexican GP in two weeks.
Ferrari had taken a one-two in the day's earlier qualifying - put
back a day to Sunday as a result of Typhoon Hagibis - but the Italian
team's race was compromised within seconds of the start.
Bottas was able to jump both Ferraris from third on the grid to take
the lead, and the Finn went on to win his third race this season, his
first in Japan and the sixth of his Formula One career.
"I had a really nice start and Sebastian had an issue so I got the
lead and the pace was super good. I enjoyed it and had fun," Bottas
said.
"I'm really proud to be part of the team; sixth title in a row is so
impressive and proud of every team member here at the race well done
guys and girls."
The results - with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sixth - means only a
Mercedes driver can now win the drivers' title, making it a record
sixth constructors' and drivers' title double for the team.
Mercedes have matched Ferrari's record of six straight constructors'
titles from 1999-2004 and have also continued their domination at
Suzuka, where they have now won the last six races.
Pole-sitter Vettel lost his lead from the start when he nudged
forward and then stopped before accelerating, but was cleared by
stewards of making a false start.
"The lights were on a long time, so it was my mistake. I lost the
momentum. It was a really poor start," Vettel said.
Team-mate Leclerc then collided with the Red Bull of Max Verstappen
on the first turn. The Dutchman span off and later vented his anger
over team radio after hearing there would be no investigation.
Stewards reviewed the incident again and said the incident would be
investigated after the race.
Both drivers could continue but Leclerc's front wing was damaged and
a piece late flew off, knocking the wing mirror off Hamilton's car
behind him. Verstappen eventually had to retire on lap 15 of the 53
laps.
Conditions were dry but blustery after the typhoon had moved further
north, and after the early drama Bottas was able to build up a lead
from the front.
It became a question of tyre strategies and Hamilton at one stage
appeared unhappy with his team's tactics.
After second stops by Vettel and Bottas, Hamilton was able to lead
from lap 37. Bottas on the faster softs to Hamilton's mediums was
some 10 seconds behind with 15 laps to go and told his team-mate
would have to pit again.
That turned out to be the case with 10 laps remaining, putting Bottas
back in front more than 10 seconds ahead of Vettel and 15 seconds up
on his team-mate.
Hamilton on the fresher tyres was able to attack Vettel towards the
end, but he was unable to get into a position to overtake and had to
settle a close third - with a bonus point for fastest lap - as Bottas
took the chequered flag.
"Firstly it's congratulations to the team to win it six times in a
row," Hamilton said. "I really just wanted to get the best points for
the team today."
Red Bull's Alexander Albon was a career-best fourth, ahead of Carlos
Sainz in a McLaren, Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo in a Renault, Pierre
Gasly in a Toro Rosso, Nico Huelkenberg in a Renault and Lance Stroll
in a Racing Point.
Hamilton has a 64-point lead over Bottas in the drivers' standings
with four races left - with a possible 104 points remaining for one
driver if he wins all races and gains four bonus points for fastest
laps.
Hamilton will take the championship if he is 78 points in front after
the Mexican GP. A victory and bonus point for Hamilton in Mexico
would be enough if Bottas fails to get on the podium.