Hamilton wins as Mercedes resume normal service

FORMULA 1 Lewis Hamilton ensured that normal service was resumed for Mercedes as he roared to victory in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka ahead of teammate Nico Rosberg with Sebastian Vettel, the surprise winner in Singapore last week, third and Kimi Raikkonen fourth in the second Ferrari.

Rosberg started from pole but, Hamilton flew off the line to pull along-side his main title rival and muscled his way past the German at turn two.

Daniel Ricciardo and Felipe Massa had a coming together in their dash to the first corner, Ricciardo's Red Bull shredded a tyre while the Williams needed a new wing. Meanwhile up-front, Mercedes who were off the pace in Singapore, which allowed Vettel to boost his title hopes, were crucifying the Ferraris with Hamilton repeatedly clocking the fastest lap, but he did have a scare half-way through the 53-lap race, complaining of vibrations and overheating in the cockpit but it proved only a temporary glitch. Rosberg, had no such trouble in the other Mercedes and moved into second on lap 32 when Vettel pitted and emerged just behind his fellow German, who set about trying to eat into Hamilton's 10-second advantage but to no avail as he got caught up in traffic.

Valtteri Bottas finished fifth for Williams with Nico Hulkenberg sixth for Force India. They were followed home by the Lotus' of Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado.

Meanwhile, McLaren's woes continued as former world champions Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button finished outside the points at the home of their engine supplier Honda. As cars sped past him early in the race Alonso, who came home in 11th, barked down the radio "it's embarrassing, very embarrassing!" - summing up the team's season.