Valtteri Bottas swept to victory in Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix as Mercedes clinched the Formula One constructors’ championship and guaranteed themselves a sixth consecutive title double.
The Finn crossed the line 11.3 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who made a hesitant start from pole position and had to fend off a charging Lewis Hamilton in the closing laps.
The result moved Mercedes 177 points clear of Ferrari, allowing them to wrap up a record-equalling sixth consecutive constructors’ crown, with a maximum 176 points from four races still to be won.
It also assured Mercedes of the drivers’ title with only Bottas now capable of challenging five-times world champion Hamilton, whose lead narrowed to 64 points.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/ValtteriBottas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ValtteriBottas🏆
A sixth consecutive constructors' crown 👑
And one of their drivers WILL win the world title in 2019
Plenty to celebrate for @MercedesAMGF1 at the #JapaneseGP... pic.twitter.com/AZT4SZUYxP
— Formula 1 (@F1)
Mercedes have now equalled Ferrari’s record six constructors’ titles in a row between 1999-2004.
The Italian team won five successive drivers’ crowns with Michael Schumacher from 2000-04.
After winning, Bottas says: “Starting third is never easy here but there’s no point giving up.
"Really proud of the team, a sixth title in a row is so impressive.”