But Vettel admitted that defeat in Mexico was hard to stomach.
A difficult fourth place was enough for Hamilton to seal his fifth world title.
Lewis Hamilton's path to his fifth world championship wasn't as straightforward as the points margin suggests.
Hamilton is odds-on to win the title tomorrow — so long as he makes it through the first corner.
Mercedes needs to improve "lots of different things" to vie for pole at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Hamilton is looking forward to winning a battle, not the war, at this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix.
Valtteri Bottas could be the difference between Hamilton winning the title this weekend and Vettel taking it one more round.
Lewis Hamilton claimed a tightly contested pole from Sebastian Vettel on what's shaping up to be a title-deciding weekend.
Hamilton was quickest, Vettel picked up a three-place grid penalty for speeding under red flags.
Lewis Hamilton can make himself a five-time world champion in Austin this weekend.
Lewis Hamilton has paid respect to the man he's set to vanquish at this weekend's United States Grand Prix.
There was no stopping Lewis Hamilton in Japan as he mounted a compelling case for an early fifth world championship.
Mercedes is excelling under the same pressure shattering Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton is just one race away from claiming his fifth title after a dominant win in Japan.
Lewis Hamilton claimed an easy 71st career win and fourth in the last five years at the Japanese Grand Prix to put himself one race away from claiming his fifth world championship after Sebastian Vettel was involved in another early-race collision.
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were untouchable; Ferrari was at its shambolic best.
Mercedes was streets ahead of the competition during free practice at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Mercedes cast Valtteri Bottas as Lewis Hamilton's wingman at the Russian Grand Prix.