Motorsport: Hamilton champion-in-waiting after Suzuka triumph

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen enunciated what Formula One title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel could not say ahead of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix. It’s too soon for Hamilton to celebrate, and to early for Vettel admit defeat as the pair fight for their fifth world.

And that was before Hamilton romped to his ninth victory of the season, leaving Vettel to pick up the pieces in sixth place at Suzuka. Hamilton now stands 67 points clear of Vettel with four races to run. 

You can understand why Verstappen was a little perplexed when his Red Bull separated Mercedes and Ferrari, prompting questions of whether he would avoid the championship battle, and for the racer to question whether there is a contest at all.

Vettel ripped from eight to fourth in the opening lap, chasing down third-placed Verstappen before an ill-timed lunge saw him clatter into the Red Bull Racer and spin out of control and away from podium contention. Verstappen finished third, behind Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and a jubilant Hamilton on the top step of the podium.

Daniel Ricciardo was fourth, winning “driver of the day” kudos following a determined drive through the field after problems in qualifying.

Hamilton has promised to “take it one step at a time” heading to the US, where he has won the last four grands prix.

If the Briton finishes first in Austin on October 21, anything less than second place for Vettel will hand the Mercedes driver a five world title with three races remaining on the calendar.

MotoGP

Marc Marquez has a similar grip on the MotoGP championship trophy following victory in the inaugural Thailand Grand Prix.

The Honda man attacked Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso to take the lead on the final lap, then held him off to take a thrilling win at the new circuit.

Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales finished third, ahead of teammate Valentino Rossi in fourth.

Marquez holds a 77 point lead over Dovizioso with four races to run, including the next round at Japan’s Motegi on October 21 and the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 28.

WRC

While the premier two and four-wheel categories are (almost) a done deal, Rally Australia in Coffs Harbour could host a nail-biter. The World Rally Championship is a close-run affair led by Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville on 189 points followed closely by Ford’s Sebastien Ogier with 182 points. Ogier took victory in Wales Rally GB on the weekend, helped by troublesome runs for Neuville and Toyota frontrunner Ott Tanak.

The French racer’s fifth Rally GB win looked unlikely on the first day of competition when a broken gearbox sent him plunging down the order. But difficulty for rivals, including a crash for Neuville and radiator trouble for Tanak, helped him ascend the order to take a memorable victory.

The championship goes to Spain on October 25-28 before coming to Australia for the final round on November 15-18.

Photos: Daimler, AP, M-Sport

Hamilton champion-in-waiting after Suzuka triumph

Rally title tipped to go to the wire in Australia.

David McCowen

“Is it still a battle?”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen enunciated what Formula One title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel could not say ahead of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix. It’s too soon for Hamilton to celebrate, and to early for Vettel admit defeat as the pair fight for their fifth world.

And that was before Hamilton romped to his ninth victory of the season, leaving Vettel to pick up the pieces in sixth place at Suzuka. Hamilton now stands 67 points clear of Vettel with four races to run. 

You can understand why Verstappen was a little perplexed when his Red Bull separated Mercedes and Ferrari, prompting questions of whether he would avoid the championship battle, and for the racer to question whether there is a contest at all.

Vettel ripped from eight to fourth in the opening lap, chasing down third-placed Verstappen before an ill-timed lunge saw him clatter into the Red Bull Racer and spin out of control and away from podium contention. Verstappen finished third, behind Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and a jubilant Hamilton on the top step of the podium.

Daniel Ricciardo was fourth, winning “driver of the day” kudos following a determined drive through the field after problems in qualifying.

Hamilton has promised to “take it one step at a time” heading to the US, where he has won the last four grands prix.

If the Briton finishes first in Austin on October 21, anything less than second place for Vettel will hand the Mercedes driver a five world title with three races remaining on the calendar.

MotoGP

Marc Marquez has a similar grip on the MotoGP championship trophy following victory in the inaugural Thailand Grand Prix.

The Honda man attacked Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso to take the lead on the final lap, then held him off to take a thrilling win at the new circuit.

Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales finished third, ahead of teammate Valentino Rossi in fourth.

Marquez holds a 77 point lead over Dovizioso with four races to run, including the next round at Japan’s Motegi on October 21 and the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 28.

WRC

While the premier two and four-wheel categories are (almost) a done deal, Rally Australia in Coffs Harbour could host a nail-biter. The World Rally Championship is a close-run affair led by Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville on 189 points followed closely by Ford’s Sebastien Ogier with 182 points. Ogier took victory in Wales Rally GB on the weekend, helped by troublesome runs for Neuville and Toyota frontrunner Ott Tanak.

The French racer’s fifth Rally GB win looked unlikely on the first day of competition, when a broken gearbox sent him plunging down the order. But difficulty for rivals, including a crash for Neuville and radiator trouble for Tanak, helped him ascend the order to take a memorable victory.

The championship goes to Spain on October 25-28 before coming to Australia for the final round on November 15-18.