F1, Japanese GP: Valtteri Bottas fends off Sebastian Vettel

The Japanese Grand Prix concluded its final on Sunday with Valtteri Bottas emerging victorious. Bottas managed to fend off a stiff challenge from Sebastian Vettel for a podium finish. Lewis Hamilton, the champion of the Russian Grand Prix and leader at the World Drivers standing, finished third. Here are some key moments from the race.

Mercedes wrap up Constructors Championship

Bottas and Hamilton securing a top 3 finish, sealed the constructors' title for Mercedes with four races to go. They have won a record 6th title in a row beating the previous record set by Michael Schumacher and Ferrari from 2000 to 2004 and thus confirmed that this Mercedes team as the greatest in F1 history. The result comes as a blow to Ferrari, however, as Vettel succumbed to a lockout handing over Mercedes the title. Individual errors from both their drivers, other one being Charles Leclerc cost Ferrari the points as Vettel and Leclerc finished 2nd and 6th respectively. 

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Frustration for Hamilton

Hamilton was leading the race with 11 laps to go when he was called for his second pit stop which ultimately resulted in Bottas winning with Vettel coming in second. Things might have been different for him had his first pit-stop timed a bit later in the race as he was left with very few laps to close down the gap. Hamilton was undoubtedly left frustrated with the decision of his team which cost him 10 seconds. He expressed his anger to the engineers, citing his ill-timed pit stop pitting him out of the race before it ended.

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Vettel avoids penalty

Vettel's car had twitched forward before the start lights were out, putting him in an instant investigation. Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen had got a penalty for a similar incident in Russia a month ago. Vettel, however, got the car stopped again in time for the official race to start and thereby avoided being penalised. A statement released by the F1A mentioned that the video showed some movement from Vettel, but that movement was within the acceptable tolerance of the F1 jump start system.

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Bottas wins big

Valtteri Bottas won the Japanese GP over second-placed Vettel. This was the 6th win for the 30-year old and a much-needed one for him which comes after his last victory in Azerbaijan back in April. This means only Bottas can catch Hamilton in the World Drivers Championship, 2019 with Bottas sitting at 274 points and Hamilton at 338 points. Up next is the Mexican Grand Prix set for October 25, 2019.

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