Mercedes were not messing about at the Japanese Grand Prix.

It may have been another predictable Red Bull one-two on track, but the German manufacturer, along with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, were fighting their own battle.

Hamilton caused a scene off the track after a Mercedes strategy was explainedCredit: Getty
Russell managed a seventh place finish with a later overtake on Oscar Piastri, while Hamilton was also close by in ninth.

The latter’s forthcoming move to Ferrari means tongues will be wagging all season, especially given his complaints about his car in recent years, which appeared to fall on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, the man he will replace, Carlos Sainz, is delivering a fine season, ending third at Suzuka and ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc.

This is starting to make Hamilton fans a little touchy, with some feeling Russell may now be getting special treatment, and on lap 14 things came to a head when one was critical of the Mercedes strategy.

Russell and Hamilton switched places with Russell apparently the more able to race at that point.

And Mercedes’ social media explained the decision on X: “LH is struggling with his set of tyres. GR has strong pace at this stage of the raced on his Hards.”

But one fan wasn’t happy, Serhat Sogukkuyu replied: “I hate your decisions.”

Mercedes, though, had a simple response: “Lewis suggested it.”

Hamilton finished the Japanese Grand Prix in ninth placeCredit: Getty

Mercedes tried to explain the move but fans weren’t happyCredit: X
The reply, though, got fans frustrated.

One responded: “Lewis also suggested fixing the car but did you guys listen to that seasons ago?”

Another added: “Oh so suddenly you decided to listen to him? What about the other 3 years where you never listened?”

Third posted: “oh you guys actually can hear lewis’s suggestions. good to know.”

“Lewis suggested a lot of things over the years to your team and only now you’re listening to him? Too late for that,” a fourth said.

Despite allowing Russell ahead, the younger of the two Brits failed to truly test the upper echelons.

And in the end had to make do with six Championship points, taking his total to 18, which sees him seventh overall.

Meanwhile, Hamilton is 10th with eight points and he wasn’t happy with a post-race interview in Japan.

Hamilton was left frustrated by Mercedes’ continued poor performanceCredit: Sky Sports
He reacted angrily when thoughts of Ferrari were presented to him.

Hamilton had already shown his frustration when giving a curt ‘ok’ to the question ‘How was it for you today?’ during the media session.

He then snapped when a journalist asked him if he was ‘jealous’ when watching Ferrari, who finished a solid P3 and P4 behind the Red Bulls.

“Do you have any better questions?” Hamilton responded before he then walked out of the media session.