Hamilton wins Russian GP, opens up huge lead
Sochi ( Russia), Sept. 30: A sheepish Lewis Hamilton increased his lead in this year’s drivers’ world championship to 50 points when he claimed an accomplished victory, aided by Mercedes team tactics, in Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix.
The defending fourtime champion, who started second on the grid, was helped by Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, who allowed him to overtake and then defended him from attack by title rival Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who sat next to former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone after a late arrival at the Sochi Autodrom, saw the Briton make the most of Mercedes’ strategy and a thrilling passing move on Vettel.
Bottas had started on pole and was unhappy at being asked to obey team orders that deprived him of a possible victory as he finished 2.545 seconds behind Hamilton, who looked uncomfortable at the situation after the race.
Vettel finished third and the German saw Hamilton extend his lead over him in the standings.
It was Hamilton’s third win in Russia, his fifth in six races and the 70th of his career, confirming he has the momentum to clinch a fifth title triumph with five races remaining.
“It’s actually quite a difficult day. Valtteri did a fantastic job all weekend and was an absolute gentleman to let me by... I can understand how difficult it is for him,” said Hamilton.
Kimi Raikkonen finished fourth for Ferrari ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who marked his 21st birthday with a rousing drive, including a spell as race leader, from 19th on the grid.
Renault- bound Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo and Ferraribound Charles Leclerc of Sauber filled the next places.