Bottas wins in Japan, Mercedes celebrate six title doubles

Formula One F1 - Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japan - October 13, 2019. Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas celebrates winning the race. REUTERS/Issei Kato

SUZUKA, Japan (Reuters) - Valtteri Bottas swept to victory in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix as Mercedes clinched the Formula One constructors’ championship and guaranteed themselves an unprecedented sixth consecutive title double.

The Finn crossed the line 11.3 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who made a hesitant start from pole position and had to fend off a charging Lewis Hamilton in the closing laps.