Having lost a win to Max Verstappen one week earlier, Lewis Hamilton had extra incentive to keep the Red Bull driver behind in the closing stages of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Hamilton held off a late charge from Verstappen, which was aided by a poorly timed encounter with some backmarkers on the narrow Suzuka circuit, to make another big step towards a fourth world championship. The victory came with main title rival Sebastian Vettel retiring in the early stages with engine trouble.
Though Hamilton led away cleanly from pole, Verstappen kept him under pressure for much of the race, but his memory of being passed by the Red Bull driver early in the Malaysian Grand Prix kept Hamilton focussed.