Hamilton set for title after Suzuka win and Vettel blunder

Lewis Hamilton won the Japanese Grand Prix to move within touching distance of a fifth Formula 1 world title as his main rival Sebastian Vettel ruined his hopes with an early crash at Suzuka. Hamilton is now 67 points clear of the Ferrari man and can realistically win the title next time out in Austin.

A Hamilton victory, matched with Vettel failing to take to the second step on the podium, in the USA will move Hamilton level with Juan Manuel Fangio.

Victory in Japan was never in doubt – Hamilton leading every single lap from Valtteri Bottas , with Max Verstappen taking the third podium spot – albeit the Dutchman's race was far more eventful than the Silver Arrows'.

Verstappen survived contact - but earned a five-second time penalty - with Kimi Raikkonen on lap one, an incident which helped Vettel take fourth, having started eighth on the grid due to Ferrari's faulty Q3 strategy.

A safety car had been called as debris from a Kevin Magnussen – Charles Leclerc collision was cleared and Vettel attacked Verstappen upon the restart, diving up the inside of Spoon Curve.

Verstappen left minimal room and Vettel clattered into the Red Bull, spinning himself to the back of the field and sustaining sidepod damage.

Vettel recovered to sixth place, but the entire weekend has been 2018 in microcosm – a ruinous Ferrari strategy made worse by Vettel losing his nerve in the crucial moment.

Hamilton was untouchable in Suzuka and his surge in form has now taken in six victories in seven races.

HAM: "Have you gone for a break, Bono? Haven't had an update in a while"

Lonely out front, @LewisHamilton? ????#JapaneseGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/sSTkuua7dS — Formula 1 (@F1) October 7, 2018

There was no need for the Sochi team orders here, Bottas clinging onto second place as Verstappen piled the pressure on in the closing stages.

Daniel Ricciardo raced to an excellent fourth place from 15th on the grid, with Kimi Raikkonen seeing his strategy fall flat as he went backwards to fifth.

Sergio Perez, Romain Grosjean, Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz completed the points-paying places – Pierre Gasly finishing 11th in huge disappointment for Toro Rosso at Honda's home race after qualifying sixth and seventh on Saturday.

VIDEO: Verstappen and Raikkonen crash on lap one!
VIDEO: Vettel and Verstappen crash!