Hamilton beats Rosberg in Suzuka success
A stunning overtake by Lewis Hamilton helped him go on and win the Japanese Grand Prix and open up a ten point lead in the championship.
Hamilton beat Nico Rosberg hands down in a shortened wet race, and re-emphasised his dominant form.
Rosberg controlled the early stages but it was quickly apparent that he was uncomfortable with his car.
Mid-way through the race, his tyres started to drop off and instead of pitting he persevered. Hamilton took advantage and drove round the outside of the German in the first corner.
Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel came third, ahead of Daniel Ricciardo and Jenson Button.
Jules Bianchi
However, the race will be remembered for the late crash which has seen Jules Bianchi rushed to hospital. The crash resulted in a red flag, shortly before the end. For an update on his condition, read here.
The rain was very heavy at the start of the race, which began under the safety car. After a couple of laps it was considered unsafe to race and so the red flag was out.
Immediately the rain subsided and the race began properly 20 minutes later.
The track remained wet despite a lack of rain, but a heavy downpour towards the end caused chaos with Adrian Sutil and Bianchi crashing at the same spot.
Mercedes were dominant in the early periods. The slow pace of Williams drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa gave them the chance to escape from the Red Bulls, and they built up a huge gap.
When Vettel and Ricciardo were free of the Williams pair, they began to catch Mercedes at a second per lap. They were more proactive over their tyre strategy, and it got them to within eight seconds of Rosberg at the end.
Jenson Button
Jenson Button again underlined his quality in changeable conditions, as he fought to fifth. Button was the best driver at selecting the ideal time to change tyres and he ran as high as third, before a slow stop demoted him.
It was another frustrating day for Fernando Alonso, who stopped behind the safety car. As the cars exited the pits to re-start the race after the first red flag, Alonso suffered an electrical failure.
Ultimately though, this race will be remembered for the crash of Bianchi. Now we wait for news, and pray that it is good.
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