Lewis Hamilton has avoided a penalty on Sunday at the Japanese Grand Prix, after it was decided that he didn’t force George Russell of the circuit.
Hamilton started Sunday’s race in seventh with Russell alongside him on the fourth row in eighth, resulting in the pair being close together in the opening stages.
It was a nervy start to the race for Mercedes, as the two British drivers were both busy battling with one another.
The seven-time World Champion had been comfortable ahead of Russell, before he went wide at Turn 9 which allowed his team-mate to close up.
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The pair went side-by-side through Turn 12, before they almost came together on the exit of Turn 13.
Hamilton held the inside line whilst Russell tried to hold position on the outside, only to find himself off the circuit after the 103-time race winner ran wide.
This frustrated Russell, with the incident having been noted by the stewards.
It was quickly decided though, that no investigation was necessary, with it having clearly been nothing more than a racing incident.
Hamilton and Russell were at it again at the end of the race, due to the ex-Williams driver having attempted a one-stop strategy.
Russell was caught by several drivers – including Hamilton – who were on a two-stop strategy, something which proved to be the way to go.
Hamilton was allowed past Russell with the help of team orders, seemingly to the 25-year-old’s frustration.
He ended up finishing seventh at Suzuka, whilst Hamilton secured fifth place.
The P5 has seen Hamilton move 16 points clear in third in the Drivers’ Championship, whilst Russell has been caught by Lando Norris.
Norris and Russell are joint-seventh on 115 points, 75 behind Hamilton.
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In the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes are quickly being caught in second.
The Silver Arrows are now just 20 points ahead of Ferrari, who finished fourth and sixth on Sunday.
Hamilton is looking increasingly comfortable in his battle with Fernando Alonso for third in the standings, whilst Mercedes and Ferrari look set to duel to be second best to Red Bull, who claimed the Constructors’ Championship in Suzuka courtesy of another Max Verstappen victory.