F1 2019: Lewis Hamilton-led Mercedes dominate Formula One circuit

Mercedes painted the city of Suzuka silver, as Valtteri Bottas raced to the chequered flag to clinch the constructors' championship for the Silver Arrows. Bottas finished first, as Hamilton finished third in Japan. Bottas' win effectively rules out Ferrari duo Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc from the running in the driver's championship this season. Hamilton's third-place finish at the Suzuka circuit means that the five-time champion has now amassed 338 points and opened up a lead of 64 points at the top. 

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It has been an exciting season for Mercedes so far with the Silver Arrows securing a total of 12 first-place finishes out of 17 races this season. The German team enjoyed a run of eight consecutive victories before Red Bull's Max Verstappen brought their winning run to a halt in the Austrian Grand Prix. Hamilton then managed to secure a win back home in the British Grand Prix, before Verstappen stepped up to race through the chequered flag in the next race in Germany. Verstappen's win was followed by another Mercedes victory in Hungary, as Hamilton beat out stiff competition from Verstappen and Vettel to emerge victoriously. 

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Mercedes dominate

The win at Hungary meant that Mercedes were in pole position to win the constructors' championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix. However, this is precisely when Ferrari decided to come to the party. Successive victories for Charles Leclerc, followed by Vettel's first victory this season meant that Mercedes would have to put their victory party on hold. The wait for the party, however, would prove to be a short one, as Hamilton prevailed in Russia to all but hand the constructors' championship to Mercedes. Bottas' victory in Japan and Hamilton's third-place finish means that the Silver Arrows will make Formula One history as they become the first team in Formula One history to win six consecutive constructors' and individual titles.

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Meanwhile, it has been a difficult season for Mercedes' rivals Ferrari. A meagre total of three wins out of 17 races so far is a dismal return for the Italian side. Their star driver Sebastian Vettel has struggled to register convincing victories, as the German ended his 13-month winless streak with a win in the Singapore Grand Prix. His teammate Charles Leclerc has shown some promise, having stepped up from Sauber to partner the German. Red Bull's Max Verstappen has also impressed this season, as he is now level on points with Ferrari's Vettel, with 212 points so far. 

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