Daniel Ricciardo at centre of post-race investigation at Japanese Grand Prix

Formula One's governing body has moved to seal and impound the steering wheels and electronic control units of Renault's cars after a Japanese Grand Prix protest by rivals Racing Point.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said, after meeting team representatives, that the protest had been ruled admissible and would be heard at a later date.

Canadian-owned Racing Point had protested about an “alleged pre-set lap distance-dependent brake bias adjustment system” on the cars raced by Australian Daniel Ricciardo and German Nico Hulkenberg.

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The FIA said a representative of the technical department had been directed to seal and impound the parts in preparation for a detailed analysis of them, as well as analysis of associated hardware, software and data.

"When the likely submission date of the assessment can be determined, the FIA Technical Department representative will communicate that to the chairman of the stewards so that the next meeting time to assess the claims made in the protest can be scheduled," it added.

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Renault said in a statement that Racing Point had prepared a 12-page dossier.

"Renault F1 team intends to use this recess to prepare an equally detailed case to rigorously defend its position," said the French manufacturer team.

Renault took a double points haul at Suzuka with Ricciardo sixth and Hulkenberg 10th. Mercedes-powered Racing Point had Sergio Perez ninth and Lance Stroll 11th.

Ricciardo produced an epic drive to finish seventh after starting 16th, but was promoted to sixth after Charles Leclerc was hit with a 15-second post-race penalty.

Bottas wins as Mercedes seal contructors title

A blistering start from Valtteri Bottas from third on the grid helped the Finnish driver win the typhoon-hit GP as Mercedes wrapped up a sixth-consecutive F1 constructors championship

Bottas surged into the lead almost immediately, passing the Ferrari duo of Sebastian Vettel, who started from pole, and Leclerc to take the early lead at the Suzuka Circuit.

Seeking his third win of the season and first since Azerbaijan in April, Bottas managed a two-stop pit strategy to perfection to finish more than 10 seconds ahead of Vettel with Mercedes teammate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton taking third place.

“Starting third is never easy here but there's no point giving up,” Bottas said.

“I had a really nice car and Sebastian had an issue, so it was good to get the lead. Really proud of the team, sixth title in a row is so impressive.”

With Bottas holding a comfortable lead over the closing laps, there was a fierce battle for second place between Vettel and Hamilton.

Hamilton made a desperate attempt to pass Vettel over the final two laps but was unable to pull ahead. But the podium finishes for Bottas and Hamilton ensured Mercedes won their sixth-consecutive constructors' championship.

Vettel started from pole position but got off to a bad start. Race stewards investigated the German driver over a potential jump-start but ruled that he didn't.

“The lights were on but it was my mistake,” Vettel said. “The Mercedes were difficult, they had more pace than us and Valtteri was flying.”

There was contact between Leclerc and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen at Turn 2 and Verstappen was sent into a spin before being forced to retire early in the race.

Bottas made his first pit stop from the lead on the 18th lap to switch to medium tires as Hamilton took the lead for the first time.

With Hamilton on soft tires, Bottas had better pace on fresher rubber when he returned. Hamilton made his first pit stop on lap 22 and Bottas retook the lead.

When he came back out, Hamilton was 20 seconds behind Bottas and questioned his team's tire strategy over the radio.

Bottas went in for his final pit stop on lap 37 and emerged into some traffic in second place behind Hamilton, who pitted with 10 laps remaining.

Bottas then held on for his first victory in Japan to slightly narrow Hamilton's commanding championship lead to 64 points with four races left.

with Associated Press