Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton bounced back as the Formula One championship leader took out the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Brit made a dream start from second at Suzuka and cruised to a straightforward victory, his eighth of an impressive season.

After his retirement in Singapore, Hamilton needed a response and he duly delivered.

Hamilton enjoyed a brilliant start which saw him lead on the first lap as Rosberg fell from pole to fourth, with Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas (Williams) also going past him.

There were numerous punctures and touches on the opening lap with Sergio Perez running off the circuit, but Hamilton pulled away from the field and went on to win easily.

Rosberg eventually moved into second and he held off the fast-finishing Vettel, whose Ferrari rarely looked threatening in Japan