- Hamilton and teammate George Russell involved in direct tussle
- Veteran Brit finished fifth, Russell seventh; Verstappen took win
Lewis Hamilton has demanded Mercedes address their tactics when managing the racing between himself and teammate George Russell after the pair repeatedly vied with one another at the Japanese Grand Prix. Hamilton said it was time Mercedes ensure the pair worked as a team.
While Max Verstappen cantered to a win at the front of the field, Hamilton and Russell were locked in the most lengthy and fractious showdown on track the pair have entered into all season, with both drivers giving no quarter. Hamilton ultimately finished fifth and Russell seventh, the latter on a one-stop strategy compared to Hamilton’s two-stopper.