Motor racing: Hamilton wins wet Japanese Grand Prix to lead Rosberg by 10pts

McLaren Formula One driver Kevin Magnussen of Denmark spins unto the grass during the Japanese F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit on Oct 5, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany (centre) leads Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (right) after the safety car entered the pit to start the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka on Oct 5, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany leads as race is restarted following rain conditions during the Japanese F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit on Oct 5, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Cars line up behind the safety car in the pit lane as the race is suspended due to rain conditions during the Japanese F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit on Oct 5, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany leads behind a safety car as the race is restarted following rain conditions during the Japanese F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit on Oct 5, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany leads team mate Lewis Hamilton of Britain behind a safety car as they start the first lap of the rain-affected Japanese F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit on Oct 5, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (right) holds up the winner's trophy beside teammate Nico Rosberg of Germany (left) on the podium during the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka on Oct 5, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (centre) of Britain waits to receive the trophy after winning the Japanese F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit on Oct 5, 2014 extending his championship lead over Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. However, there was no spraying of champagne on the podium as thoughts and prayers went out to Marussia's French driver Jules Bianchi, who was taken to hospital unconscious after a crash. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Updated

Published

Oct 05, 2014, 04:41 PM

SUZUKA (REUTERS) - Britain's Lewis Hamilton won a wet Japanese Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday, to extend his championship lead over Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.

In a race that needed two starts behind the safety car, and was stopped before the full distance owing to heavy rain, the German finished second.

Germany's quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel was third for Red Bull.

The win was Hamilton's eighth of the season and he leads Rosberg by 10 points with four races remaining but double points in the final round in Abu Dhabi.

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