SUZUKA, Japan: A searing start from Valtteri Bottas from third on the grid helped him win the Japanese Grand Prix – his first since Azerbaijan in April – as Mercedes were crowned constructors’ champions for a record-matching sixth time on Sunday.
Bottas finished ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
The Finn jumped polesitter Vettel off the start to lead the German into Turn 1 at Suzuka, before going on to control the race at the front, managing a two-stop strategy to perfection to bring home the sixth victory of his career.
Behind, a titanic battle between Hamilton and Vettel for second place in the final laps of the race saw Vettel eventually hold off his rival, crossing the line just 0.4 seconds ahead.
The sole remaining Red Bull of Alex Albon came home P4, while a brilliant race from Carlos Sainz saw the McLaren driver finish fifth.
FIA to probe after chequered flag shown lap early
Motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, will launch an investigation after the chequered flag was shown a lap early.
The blunder means that under Formula One rules the finishing positions and points will be calculated at the end of lap 52, and not the full race distance of 53 laps.
It was good news for Racing Point’s Sergio Perez who crashed at the start of lap 53 in ninth position. As a result of the error he is now classified as finishing and scores two championship points.
