Lewis Hamilton took another step towards this year's Formula 1 title with victory in the Japanese Grand Prix, narrowly beating Max Verstappen, while Sebastian Vettel's championship hopes suffered a blow. Hamilton's 61st career win, and his eighth of the season, came as he converted pole into an early lead, while second-placed Vettel began to drop back immediately. There were signs that all was not well with the German driver's car when it was seen on the grid with its engine cover off, as the Ferrari mechanics checked for a potential spark plug problem. Verstappen, who passed Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo off the line, picked off Vettel at the hairpin on the opening lap, before the...
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