Valtteri Bottas won the Japanese Grand Prix with a searing start from third on the grid was the key to the Finn taking victory at Suzuka – his first win since Azerbaijan in April – as Mercedes were crowned constructors’ champions for a record-matching sixth time, Bottas finishing ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton.
Bottas 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 result sealed the constructors' title with four races to go and, while Hamilton is not quite world champion yet, only Bottas can catch him.
Meanwhile, as Mercedes secured their sixth straight constructors’ championship – matching Ferrari’s record from 1999-2004 – it also became a mathematical certainty that one of either Bottas or Hamilton will be crowned drivers’ champions in the 2019 F1 season, ensuring the teams’ sixth straight double championship, a new record.
Bottas takes nine points out of Hamilton's title lead - reducing his deficit to 64 points - but the Englishman will have a first mathematical chance to wrap up a sixth drivers' title at the Mexican GP on October 27. 2019.
The 2019 F1 Japanese GP: Top 10
1. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
4. Alexander Albon, Red Bull
5. Carlos Sainz, McLaren
6. Daniel Ricciardo, Renault
7. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
8. Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso
9. Sergio Perez, Racing Point
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault
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