LEW’S TITLE TILT ENJOYS A SPARK
Hammy profits from failing Ferraris
LEWIS HAMILTON started the day two rows behind Sebastian Vettel chasing a “miracle”.
He ended it with his German rival 28 points in his rear-view mirror in the title race and with a Ferrari that needed to be put back together.
The Mercedes driver feared Vettel would top the standings following Singapore after taking pole at a track notoriously tricky for overtaking.
But before any of the cars had reached the first bend Hamilton’s luck had turned in dramatic fashion.
For the first time in almost 1000 races – spanning more than 67 years – both Ferraris were out of the race without completing a lap.
Vettel tried to move across to his left off the start line to hold off the charging Max Verstappen.
His team-mate Kimi Raikkonen had already gone around Verstappen on the other side and was looking to move to his right to claim ground.
What happened next had heads in hands in Ferrari’s garage as they clattered into Verstappen – and each other – before Raikkonen slid off the track, taking Verstappen too.
Hamilton raced past the lot to snatch the lead and when Vettel’s wrecked car spun his race was over.
Hamilton, who held off Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, said: “We were fortunate with what happened with the Ferraris but I couldn’t be happier.
“I capitalised on the incident. Daniel put up a really good fight. I hoped I would get to race Sebastian at the beginning. Of course it is better the way it is.”
Hamilton led the title race for the first time this season after Monza but having qualified only fifth didn’t expect it to last long.
Even the weather was on his side as he added: “I needed it to rain and as soon as it did I knew where I was going to finish.”
Stewards probed the first-lap crash but chose to take no further action as Verstappen blamed Vettel. He said: “It was not the smartest move and you cannot make excuses for it when you are fighting for the world championship.”
Ferrari pinned the blame on the Red Bull driver on Twitter but Vettel said: “There’s nothing we can do now. It doesn’t change much.
“We’re not in the race now and can’t show the pace we had. I’m sure there will be more opportunities.”
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