Ferrari proved mighty again in qualifying for Russia and Japan, setting pole positions in both races with Leclerc and Vettel respectively. However, team orders conflicts between Vettel and Leclerc, combined with a car failure for Vettel in Russia, allowed both Mercedes to jump both Ferraris in the race, while a bad start for both Ferrari drivers in Japan cost them position to both Mercedes drivers, gifting wins to Hamilton and Bottas respectively in both rounds. Around this time, suspicions were cast over Ferrari's power unit system and operations, with Mercedes often quoting they lost more than half a second in the straights compared to Ferrari. Nevertheless, with their 1-2 finish in Russia and their double podium finish in Suzuka, the team secured the constructors' championship for a record-equalling sixth time, with four races to go.