VALTTERI BOTTAS’ super start catapulted him to victory in the Japanese Grand Prix as Mercedes wrapped up the Constructors’ Championship for the sixth time in a row.
The Finn was lightning-quick off the startline and leapfrogged both Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel, despite the German making a false start.
Bizarrely, despite TV pictures showing that he jumped the green light, he was let off by the race stewards.
Bottas was already clear of a first-lap clash between Max Verstappen and Leclerc, which eventually forced the Dutchman out of the race.
He said: “I’m very happy. I had a really nice start. The pace was super good. I could control the race.
“I’m really proud to be part of the team. A sixth title is really impressive. Congratulations to the guys and girls in the team.”
Vettel, who started on pole, held off a strong fight-back from Hamilton, who himself proved to be a team player, stopping late in the race for tyres while leading.
It would have been easy for Hamilton to stay out and snatch the lead from Bottas yet he duly followed his team’s instructions.
Hamilton added: “Congratulations to the team. So well deserved to win six years in a row. I just wanted to get the best points for the team today”
He can now wrap up the drivers’ title next out in Mexico later this month.
Meanwhile, Vettel said it was his fault for his jump-start.
He said: “It was my mistake. It was worse than a poor start, it was a really poor start.
“With the lack of pace today, second place today was probably the maximum.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
