Hamilton hails super synergy in Spanish win

Lewis Hamilton has extended his lead at the summit of the Formula One championship after a crushing win at the Spanish Grand Prix while his rival Sebastian Vettel faltered to fourth.

Hamilton blasted out the blocks from pole position at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya and from there his second victory in as many rounds never appeared in doubt.

Vettel looked set to finish behind Hamilton to limit the title damage, but Ferrari’s gamble to pit him for a second time backfired with Valtteri Bottas following Hamilton home to secure a first Mercedes one-two finish of the season.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen completed the podium positions, despite damaging his front wing after crashing into the back of Sergey Sirotkin’s Williams, to leave Vettel 17 points adrift of Hamilton.

While there was more than a hint of fortune about Hamilton’s opening victory of his championship defence in Azerbaijan a fortnight ago, the Englishman was in a class of his own yesterday.

Hamilton (pictured) crossed the line 21 seconds clear of Bottas, with Vettel 0.7 sec behind Verstappen.

Ricciardo took fifth ahead of Kevin Magnussen, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, who all finished one lap down on the mighty Hamilton.

Sergio Perez was ninth for Force India, two laps down, while Charles Leclerc (Sauber-Ferrari) completed the top 10.

“This is more like it,” said a jubilant Hamilton as he crossed the line. “Let’s keep this up.”

“Today I felt a synergy with the car that I hadn’t been feeling all year. The fans were incredible.”

He added: “This is when we are going to start to continue and apply the pressure following a one-two for Mercedes.

“We have got our Mercedes board with us this weekend, who have supported us from day one, so it is great to have them all here and see that full force and strength in depth within the team.”