Top ten pictures from the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix

Ten of the best pictures which tell the story of the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix weekend.

Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc’s run of good races was disrupted in Japan, where unusually he qas out-qualified by Sebastian Vettel, then started poorly and tangled with Max Verstappen.

Toro Rosso fan

As usual Japan’s fans produced some fantastic outfits for the race weekend, but the ravages of Super Typhoon Hagibis kept them away from the track on Saturday.

Naoki Yamamoto

For the first time in five years a local driver took to the track. Super Formula champion and Suzuka ace Naoki Yamamoto impressed in his run for Toro Rosso.

Robert Kubica

Qualifying took place on Sunday morning but it was not so calm after the storm. Windy conditions caught out Robert Kubica, who crashed.

Kevin Magnussen

Kevin Magnussen did the same, though he managed to drag his wrecked Haas back to the pits.

Sebastian Vettel

At his favourite track, Vettel ended a 10-race wait for a pole position.

Start

However after almost jumping the start Vettel was beaten to turn one by Valtteri Bottas.

Charles Leclerc

Leclerc collided with Verstappen at the start and showered Lewis Hamilton with debris.

Valtteri Bottas

Bottas was the first driver to see the chequered flag. Unfortunately he was shown it electronically one lap too soon, which meant the race had to be cut short by a lap.

Mercedes

Mercedes’ 12th win of 2019 secured their sixth constructors’ championship crown.