Highlights of the Japanese Grand Prix

By Kate Walker

Missed opportunity for Ferrari, a sixth title for Mercedes

Despite locking out the front row during the morning qualifying session, neither Ferrari driver stood on the top step of the podium. Both pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were overtaken off the start by Valtteri Bottas, who went on to win the race having led the field for the bulk of the afternoon. Vettel was able to fend off a charging Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages, but despite his strong performance he was unable to prevent the Silver Arrows from securing their sixth consecutive World Constructors’ Championship in Japan. Leclerc suffered a miserable afternoon following first lap contact with Max Verstappen that dropped him to the back of the field after a pit stop, from which he recovered to sixth.

Two stops to a one-three for Mercedes

Despite pre-race predictions from Pirelli that a one-stop would be the fastest strategy around Suzuka circuit on Sunday afternoon, in-race conditions proved more challenging than the Italian tyre manufacturer had been able to predict given the limited running. Mercedes had elected to split their strategies, with Bottas on a two-stop and Hamilton one-stopping. But midway through the race, degradation was high enough that both drivers were moved onto a two-stop, with Bottas leading from Vettel and Hamilton in third by lap 43. With 10 laps remaining, the fight was on, and a charging Hamilton broke lap records on his way to third place, but was unable to pass Vettel.

“What do I need to do to win this race?” remarked Hamilton on the Mercedes team radio.

Ricciardo’s road to recovery

While the Japanese Grand Prix was full of stellar performances, special mention should go to the charging Daniel Ricciardo, who fought his way from 16th on the grid after a dismal morning qualifying session to seventh place at the chequered flag. The Renault driver made up five places in the first eleven laps, and by the time he pitted for fresh rubber at the end of lap 30 Ricciardo had fought his way to fifth place before Carlos Sainz was able to push the Australian back to sixth on fraying rubber. When he returned to the track in eleventh place Ricciardo was on the soft tyre compound, and used his speed to make short work of overtaking the Racing Point of Sergio Perez and Renault teammate Nico Hulkenberg. After passing Pierre Gasly on lap 49, Ricciardo was running in seventh held position until the chequered flag.