Tight win sends Egypt to Fifa World Cup finals
▶ Briton extends advantage in the drivers’ standings to 59 points after triumph in Japan ▶ Vettel vows to go flat out in final four races after spark plug failure causes retirement
If anyone knew how Sebastian Vettel felt after the German’s Formula One drivers’ championship hopes were dealt a fresh blow by more mechanial unreliability in yesterday’s Japanese Grand Prix then it was his title rival Lewis Hamilton.
Twelve months ago Hamilton’s hopes of being champion were hit by an engine failure in the Malaysian Grand Prix that would ultimately prove decisive as his Mercedes-GP teammate Nico Rosberg rolled on to win the title.
Fast forward to yesterday and it is now Hamilton who is benefitting from problems for another car as he extended his lead in the standings to 59 points as Vettel retired on Lap 4 of the 53-lap event in Suzuka after a spark plug failure had slowed his Ferrari.
The incident continues a run of bad luck for Vette. In Malaysia last weekend a turbo problem in his engine meant he had to start last. He went on to finish fourth.
Vettel had led the title race by 14 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, but there has been a 73-point swing since the summer break in Hamilton’s favour and he is now in a position where he can seal his fourth championship, and third in four years, as early as the United States Grand Prix on October 22, with three races still to go after that.
If Hamilton wins in Austin and Vettel is outside the top five, or is second and the Ferrari man is ninth or lower, then the Briton will be crowned champion.
“I can only have dreamed having this kind of gap,” Hamilton told reporters as he celebrated his 61st career win and eighth of the season.
“Ferrari have put on such a great challenge all year long. My team has done a phenomenal job, the reliability is so on point.
“They are so meticulous and that is why we have the results and reliability we have.”
Hamilton endured a number of mechanical issues last season, but he has finished all 16 races this season so far.
He credited the Mercedes’ improved reliability for helping to put him in a position where he is set to get the better of Vettel and Ferrari after the Italian team had started the year looking like the fastest-overall package.
“It is kind of unbelievable to think that we are where we are,” Hamilton said. “I was excited to have a good race with Seb here, as I was last race, but obviously he has been incredibly unfortunate.
“In the world today, in F1, it is a lot about reliability – the whole performance and not just speed on track.
“The team has shown for many years now we have a solid platform. We are leaders in that area, so thanks to everyone at the factory in providing me a car where I can use my ability.
“There is still a long way to go and 100 points are still available. Anything can happen in life and hopefully I can continue like this.”
Vettel did his best to remain upbeat and said his only goal now for the rest of the year was to win the remaining races in the US, Mexico, Brazil and the season finale, the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 26, and see where that leaves him in relation to Hamilton.
“It is obviously a pity the last two races with the reliability issues, but you know, it’s like that sometimes,” he told Sky Sports.
“Of course it hurts, and we’re all disappointed.
“But now we need to get back, get some rest and then go flat out for the last four races and see what happens.”
Hamilton held off late pressure from Verstappen to win, with the second Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo completing the top three.