Formula one championship
Bottas keeps Mercedes on top in final Chinese GP practice
Sebastian Vettel was second fastest, 0.392 seconds off the pace and ahead of Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc.
Vettel qualified second, and just 0.061 slower than Hamilton, but has a three-place grid drop after failing to slow sufficiently while red flags were being waved in Friday practice.
Even victory at Suzuka may be a case of “too little, too late” for the Ferrari driver, with Lewis Hamilton sitting 50 points clear and just five races remaining.
The victory was the Dutch driver’s first of the season and came in front of an army of orange-shirted fans packing the grandstands.
Only Michael Schumacher, with seven, has won more titles and equalling the German’s tally is still largely the stuff of dreamland.
US-based Liberty Media took over the global sport in January last year and has set about engaging a younger audience as well as developing a digital strategy.
Hamilton, 33, is out of contract at the end of 2018, a year that could see him become only the third driver to take five championships after seven-times title winner Michael Schumacher.
The decision was announced in a statement on Wednesday with the change coming into effect from the start of the season in Australia on 25 March.
Most of the Formula One teams have contracts that expire at the end of 2020 and Marchionne said Ferrari would be able to walk away.
Lewis Hamilton joined the elite group of triple Formula One world champions on Sunday.
Mercedes has calmed fears about Lewis Hamilton's car ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.
Organisers gave no reason for the April 2016 start, but said it would condense the season.
The word ‘double’ is key for the 30-year-old, winner of two out of three races so far this season.
Red Bull are among a number of team frustrated by their inability to keep up with Mercedes.
The season starts on 15 March with a number of changes to the rules & regulations.
The most experienced driver on the starting grid will partner Fernando Alonso at McLaren.
The Ferrari website said the 27-year-old met chairman Sergio Marchionne and new team principal.
The win was his 11th of the campaign with Mercedes winning a record 16 in total.
Cockpit covers were tested by the FIA after Felipe Massa suffered severe head injuries.