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F1: Lewis Hamilton wins shortened Japanese Grand Prix (+photos)

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Antoine Cremer
From press release

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton grabbed his third win on the trot, Sunday in Suzuka, at the premature end of a chaotic race.

It was never going to be a simple race with Typhoon Phanfone in the area. And indeed, the Japanese Grand Prix was red flagged twice.

Suzuka Japanese Grand Prix
(Photo: WRI2)

First, the race, which started behind the safety car, had to be stopped after just two laps because of heavy rain. It restarted a few minutes later when the weather cleared up.

Soon, drivers were pitting for intermediate tires. Plenty of action kept the passionate Japanese fans on the edge of their seat.

Suzuka Japanese Grand Prix Adrian Sutil Jules Bianchi
The scene of Bianchi's crash (Photo: WRI2)

And then, on lap 44, the race was red flagged again when Jules Bianchi crashed into a recovery vehicle, attending Adrian Sutil's own crashed car.

With Bianchi in critical conditions, Hamilton, who was leading when the rest of the race was scrapped, celebrated victory without popping the champagne.

"Our first thoughts go to Jules," he said.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 Suzuka Japanese Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRI2)

"It overshadows everything else when one of our colleagues is injured and we are praying for him. Next to this, the race result doesn’t seem significant at all."

"My thoughts are with our colleague Jules and his family and teammates, and we are hoping for some positive news," added teammate Nico Rosberg, who finished second.

Suzuka Japanese Grand Prix
(Photo: WRI2)

Race results* – Japanese Grand Prix (round 15 of 19)
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) – 44 laps
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) – 9”1
3 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) – 29”1
4 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) – 38”8
5 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'07"5
6 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'53"7
7 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'55"1
8 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'55"9
9 - Jean Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 2'07"6
10 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) – 1 lap
11 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) – 1 lap
12 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) – 1 lap
13 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) – 1 lap
14 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) – 1 lap
15 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) – 1 lap
16 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) – 1 lap
17 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) – 1 lap
18 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) – 1 lap
19 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) – 1 lap
20 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) – 3 laps
21 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) – 4 laps

Suzuka Japanese Grand Prix Nico Rosberg Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel
(Photo: WRI2)

Retirement
Fernando Alonso

Drivers' championship
1. Hamilton 266 points; 2. Rosberg 256; 3. Ricciardo 193; 4. Vettel 139; 5. Alonso 133; 6. Bottas 130; 7. Button 82; 8. Hulkenberg 76; 9. Massa 71; 10. Perez 46.

Constructors' championship
1. Mercedes 522 points; 2. Red Bull 332; 3. Williams 201; 4. Ferrari 178; 5. Force India 122; 6. McLaren 121; Toro Rosso 29; 9. Marussia 2.

*Unofficial results


Antoine Cremer
Antoine Cremer
Automotive expert