Prankster Dan strikes Hamilton again

Perennial prankster Daniel Ricciardo has struck again, with Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton in the Aussie's firing line once more.

The Mercedes driver won the Japanese Grand Prix from pole on Sunday and took a big step towards the Formula One world title as rival Sebastian Vettel was forced to retire early in the latest Ferrari drama.

But that didn't spare him from the sport's practical joker Ricciardo, who claimed third spot in the race behind teammate Max Verstappen.

As the champagne flowed, the Briton was celebrating his win at Suzuka when Ricciardo sensed his opportunity and pounced.

Noticing Hamilton's mobile phone was unattended, the Aussie larrikin swiped it to take a series of hilarious photos that he posted to the Brit's Instagram account.

Unsurprisingly, the hilarious phone hack quickly went viral.

Hamilton also found himself at the centre of another cheeky incident involving Ricciardo last month, when the Aussie left media in stitches after breaking wind at the post-race press conference in Singapore.

Ricciardo also caught Verstappen out after posting a less than flattering picture of his teammate asleep on a flight to Japan.

The Aussie's third place finish at Japan was a career-best ninth podium of the Formula One season for the 28-year-old.

It is the first time Ricciardo has reached the podium in Japan, with his previous best finish a fourth in 2014.

Hamilton coasted to an eighth season victory and 61st overall ahead of the Red Bull duo of Max Verstappen and Ricciardo.

He increased his championship lead over Vettel to 59 points with just four season races left as a spark plug failure led to the latest Ferrari setback.

Hamilton can now wrap up a fourth world title at the next race in Austin, Texas, on October 22, the place where he clinched his most recent title in 2015 and has won the past three races.