It took 17 races but Mercedes' inevitable securing of a record-breaking sixth consecutive driver and team double championship was confirmed at Suzuka.

Valtteri Bottas rediscovered some of his early-season form to take his third victory of the season, fairly comfortably in the end.

The Japanese Grand Prix, though, was an accurate reflection of the state of play in Formula One for the past few seasons.

Mercedes are not the ultra-dominant team they were from 2014-2016, when they won 51 of 56 grands prix. But they are still significantly ahead of their rivals when you look at their all-round performance.

Ferrari locked out the front row, taking a fifth consecutive pole position but they could not deliver on their promise in the race, finishing second and seventh as Mercedes celebrated another title.

Ferrari's upturn in form has been impressive but the gap to Mercedes is still substantial