Mercedes clinches third straight F1 constructors' title with Japan win

By Stephen Edelstein October 11, 2016

Mercedes-AMG F1 W07 Hybrid (Nico Rosberg, 2016 Japanese Grand Prix) — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Mercedes-Benz may not be known as a powerhouse for hybrid road cars, but since the current generation of hybrid Formula One cars was introduced in 2014, the German carmaker has dominated. It won both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 2014 and 2015, and it just clinched the 2016 constructors’ title.

F1 awards both a drivers’ championship and the constructors’ title for teams every year, and while the season isn’t over, Mercedes has the constructors’ title in the bag. A win by driver Nico Rosberg at the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix over the weekend made it mathematically impossible for any other team to challenge Mercedes for the championship.

In addition to its third straight constructors’ championship, Mercedes will almost certainly attain a third straight drivers’ title. Its pair of drivers — Rosberg and reigning world champ Lewis Hamilton — are the top two contenders. Rosberg’s win in Japan extended his lead over Hamilton to 33 points. Hamilton is a three-time world champion, while Rosberg has never won a championship.

Read more: Mercedes-Benz eyes a spot on the Formula E grid

Rosberg started from pole position at the Suzuka Circuit, with Hamilton next to him on the front row in second. A bad start, however, saw Hamilton drop back to eighth, and he was never really in contention for the win after that. The British driver finished third, about 6.0 seconds behind his German teammate. Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen split the two Mercedes drivers, taking second place.

Rosberg now has 313 points to Hamilton’s 280, with only 100 points up for grabs in the four remaining races. The German driver only needs two second-place finishes and a third-place finish to clinch his first title, even if Hamilton wins all four races. The next race is the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, later this month.

The battle between the two Mercedes drivers has injected some drama into what has otherwise been a fairly dull F1 scene dominated by the German carmaker. Ferrari, Renault, and Honda have struggled to match the power and reliability of Mercedes’ hybrid powertrains, although the Renault-powered Red Bull team and the Ferrari factory team have put up more of a fight this year than they have in the past two seasons.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.