Hamilton dominates Japanese GP

SUZUKA, Japan — Lewis Hamilton won a rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, claiming his third straight Formula One victory and widening his lead over teammate Nico Rosberg in the race for the drivers’ championship.

With Hamilton leading Rosberg, a red flag came out on the 44th of 53 laps due to a crash involving Marussia driver Jules Bianchi. Race officials elected not to re-start the race and Hamilton was declared the winner. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel finished third.

The race celebrations were subdued as Bianchi was taken to a hospital by ambulance.

“Once I was able to get past Nico I was just able to enjoy the ride,” Hamilton said. “It was a great result for the team but obviously I am very concerned about Bianchi right now.”

Hamilton now leads Rosberg by 10 points with four races remaining.

The rain also disrupted the early stages of the race, with the first nine laps run behind the safety car. After the rain abated and the safety car came off, Hamilton did everything possible to gain on his teammate, who started from pole.

Rosberg held the lead until the 29th lap when Hamilton got a better run onto the pit straight and blasted around the outside of Rosberg into Turn 1 to take the lead for good.

“I had a lot more pace than Nico,” Hamilton said. “It’s not an easy circuit to follow on. But I was able to get close and with DRS was able to get side-by-side and put it in there.”

The race stopped after 44 laps after Bianchi went off at Turn 7 and crashed. He was taken to hospital and is unconscious according to FIA spokesman Matteo Bonciani.

The race started as scheduled but with the rain getting stronger, the drivers could only complete two cautious laps behind the safety car.

After a 10-minute delay, the race re-started behind the safety car, but Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari ground to a halt with a technical problem. The Spaniard returned to his garage and threw up his arms in frustration as his day was done.