Hamilton wins in France to retake lead in F1 title race
Benefits from fresh engine and minor crash that sent Vettel, Bottas to the pit for repairs
LE CASTELLET, FRANCE — Lewis Hamilton capitalized on a mistake by rival Sebastian Vettel to enjoy a wire-to-wire victory at the French Grand Prix on Sunday and retake the lead in the Formula One title race.
Starting third behind Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, Vettel tried to use his faster set of tires to make a good start.
But the German’s lunge on the inside of the first corner crunched his Ferrari into the back of Bottas, damaging both cars and sending them into the pits for repairs.
Vettel emerged with a new front wing and the entire field to fight through, and even though he made quick work of the slower cars he had to settle for a fifth-place finish.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen in his Ferrari crossed second and third to complete the podium at the Paul Ricard Circuit. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was fourth.
Defending champion Hamilton has 145 points after eight races. Vettel, who entered the race with a one-point lead, leaves trailing by 14.
While Hamilton thanked his team for its “great work” via the radio after crossing the finish line, Vettel regretted that he “had lost the race on the first lap.”
“My start was too good. Then I ended up with nowhere to go,” Vettel said. “It was my mistake, I tried to brake early and get out of it, but I had no room and no grip, being so close to the car in front and also next to me.”
Hamilton dominated the race, qualifying and Friday’s practice sessions boosted by an engine upgrade that Mercedes had expected to roll out in Canada, when Hamilton finished fifth and lost his lead to race winner Vettel.
“A fresh engine is always a good thing,” Hamilton said. “After seven races there is no way it can have the same power as a brand new engine. The guys did a great job. They work to create the best engine in the world.”
It was Hamilton’s 65th career win. Only Michael Schumacher has more victories with 91.
Just after the run-in between Vettel and Bottas, there was further trouble when Pierre Gasly ran his Toro Rosso into the back of Esteban Ocon’s Force India, knocking them both out of the race.
Bottas, who needed a new rear tire, had to restart at the back with Vettel.
Hamilton thought that Vettel got away lightly with a five-second penalty for causing his collision.
“It’s a shame, we had a chance for a one-two (finish),” Hamilton said. “I mean we are all going into Turn 1 as hard as you could, but when someone destroys your race through an error, it is kind of a tap on the hand.”
But Hamilton then added: “Those things happen.”
Montreal’s Lance Stroll failed to finish when a tire blew on his Williams.