SUZUKA, Japan (AP) – Championship leader Lewis Hamilton won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, taking a major step toward winning his third Formula One title.
The Mercedes driver crossed the finish line 1.2 seconds ahead of Malaysia GP winner Max Verstappen to claim his eighth F1 victory of the season and third at the Suzuka circuit. Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo was third.
Hamilton moved 59 points clear of title rival Sebastian Vettel with four races left. Vettel was forced to retire on the third lap when his Ferrari lost power.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain throws his trophy aloft as he celebrates after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. Second placed Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, and his teammate Daniel Ricciardo of Australia, right, was third. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Starting from pole position, Hamilton held the lead through the first turn.
With Vettel out of the race, it quickly became a showdown between Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Hamilton built up a four-second lead over the Red Bull driver through the first 15 laps and made his only pit stop on the 23rd lap.
Verstappen pitted a lap earlier than Hamilton, then produced some good laps to cut the lead to 1.7 seconds midway through the race.
Verstappen closed to within a second at the start of the final lap but traffic allowed Hamilton to escape once more and seal the narrow win.
Vettel’s early retirement put a serious dent in his fading hopes of coming back to win the championship.
Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson also retired early when he ran across the gravel and dived nose-first into the barriers.
Carlos Sainz lost control of his Toro Rosso and spun across the gravel into the wall on the outside and retired after the second lap.
Mercedes also increased its lead in the Constructors’ standings to 145 points over Ferrari. Red Bull is in third place with 303 points.
The next race is Oct. 22 in the United States.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. Second placed Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, and teammate Daniel Ricciardo of Australia right was third. (AP Photo/Toru Takahashi)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain is congratulated by his team after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain is congratulated by his team after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain stands on his car as he celebrates after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain throws his trophy aloft as he celebrates after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. Third placed Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia looks on. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain leads the field at the start of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany leads Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Toru Takahashi)
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