Japanese Grand Prix 2017 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Lewis Hamilton moved to the brink of his fourth World Championship with a commanding victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, dominating from pole position at Suzuka to extend his points lead to 59 with just four races remaining. The Mercedes driver delivered a flawless performance on one of Formula 1's most demanding circuits, putting himself in position to clinch the title at the following round in Austin.

Starting from pole, Hamilton controlled the race from start to finish, never allowing the chasing pack to threaten his lead. Max Verstappen finished second for Red Bull, securing back-to-back podium finishes and demonstrating the RB13's improving form. Daniel Ricciardo completed the podium in third, giving Red Bull their second consecutive double-podium finish. Valtteri Bottas set the fastest lap for Mercedes but could only finish fifth after struggling with tire degradation. Sebastian Vettel's championship hopes effectively ended with a fifth-place finish, as Ferrari's SF70H lacked the pace to challenge Mercedes and Red Bull around Suzuka's flowing corners.

The victory was Hamilton's third at Suzuka and put him on the cusp of equaling the championship tally of Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel. Ferrari's struggles continued as both their drivers failed to reach the podium, with strategic errors and pace deficits compounding their post-Singapore collapse. The 59-point championship gap meant Hamilton needed only to finish fifth in Austin to secure the title regardless of Vettel's result, making the American round a potential coronation for the Mercedes driver.