Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton wins the 2017 Japanese GP

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has won the 2017 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix with Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo finishing in second and third places respectively. Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas, who was handed a 5-place grid penalty for a gearbox change, finished in fourth place, while Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, who suffered a similar penalty, finished fifth. Championship contender - Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel's misfortunes continued, as a faulty spark plug led to his retirement early in the race. 

Hamilton led the race from the start. Bottas' penalty meant that Vettel started alongside his championship rival, but mechanical issues forced him to retire from the race. Verstappen, who started from fifth, was quick to pass his team mate and challenge Vettel for second place.

At one point in the race, Force India's Esteban Ocon was running in third, but eventually, he finished in sixth place ahead of his team mate Sergio Perez. Haas F1 drivers Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean finished in eighth and ninth places respectively, ahead of Felipe Massa's Williams. Lance Stroll in the other Williams F1 car suffered a puncture in the closing stages of the race.

With this win, Hamilton has extended his lead over Vettel in the World Drivers' Championship to 59 points. The next race will be held in Austin, Texas (USA) on October 22, 2017.

World Drivers' Championship standings:

1. Lewis Hamilton - 306points

2. Sebastian Vettel - 247 points

3. Valtteri Bottas - 234 points

World Constructors' Championship standings:

1. Mercedes - 540 points

2. Ferrari - 395 points

3. Red Bull - 303 points