Rosberg moves 33 points clear in the title race; Hamilton suffers another nightmare start and is driven off track as he tries to overtake Max Verstappen on the penultimate lap at Suzuka

Nico Rosberg has extended his championship lead over Lewis Hamilton to 33 points with victory in the Japanese GP.

Hamilton suffered a nightmare start, falling as low as eighth off the line, but launched a spirited comeback drive to minimise the damage by finishing third at Suzuka.

But Hamilton’s recovery drive was rebuffed through the final laps when he caught but was unable to pass Red Bull’s Max Verstappen