HAMILTON WIN CLINCHES TITLE FOR MERCEDES

Mercedes became the first team to win seven successive Formula One constructors’ titles on Sunday at Imola as Lewis Hamilton celebrated a record- extending 93rd career win to stand on the brink of a seventh drivers’ crown. Hamilton came back from third place at the end of the opening lap to lead Finnish teammate

Valtteri Bottas in a Mercedes one- two at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the Italian circuit. The Briton, who took the checkered flag 5.783 seconds ahead of pole man Bottas, also banked a bonus point for the fastest lap to extend his lead to a hefty 85 points with four races remaining. Canadians Nicholas Latifi and Lance Stroll finished 11th and 13th, respectively. Stroll caused some drama when he overshot his pit- lane stop and sent the waiting front jack mechanic tumbling to the

ground. Hamilton can now equal Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s record seven titles in two weeks’ time at the Turkish Grand Prix. Bottas is the only rival remaining in mathematical contention, meaning Mercedes has also taken seven successive championship doubles, after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen crashed out with a tire blowout while in second place. Australian Daniel Ricciardo finished third for Renault, his second podium of the season for a French team now third

overall, with Russian Daniil Kvyat fourth for Alphatauri. “What an incredible achievement for all of you. I am so proud of everybody and I am so grateful to be a part of it,” Hamilton said over the team radio after being told of the constructors’ success.