Lewis Hamilton has gifted a much-needed Formula One race win at the Russian Grand Prix as rival Sebastian Vettel retired in his bid for a second straight victory. (More Sports News)
Mercedes superstar Hamilton, the defending champion and season leader, had been enduring a tough run, with three consecutive Ferrari triumphs since the midseason break.
Vettel had returned to form by pipping team-mate Charles Leclerc last week and the Scuderia appeared to be teeing up another one-two in Sochi.
However, Vettel was forced to retire shortly after pitting and, with Leclerc having already headed in, the virtual safety car allowed Hamilton to return to the garage and come back out with a lead still intact.
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Leclerc readied one last serious push but was held up for too long by Valtteri Bottas and could only finish third.
Hamilton also collected the extra point for the fastest lap on a fine day for Mercedes, their champion stretching his advantage to 73 points as they claimed a one-two.
Vettel had enjoyed a stunning start in pole-sitter Leclerc's slipstream, beating Hamilton immediately and then cutting inside his colleague at the first corner.
Early contact between Daniel Ricciardo and Romain Grosjean brought out a safety car on the first lap and Ferrari called for Vettel to allow Leclerc through when racing resumed.
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Scuderia tactics had favoured Vettel a week earlier and Leclerc was angry again as he told the radio he had "played the team game" as Hamilton got too close for Ferrari to attempt the swap.
The team took a different approach and had Leclerc pit, coming back out in fourth, with Vettel then going in and the 21-year-old pushing to get in front of last week's winner.
However, just as Ferrari looked set to control the race, Vettel pulled up complaining of "no MGU-K" and retired, unable to get back to the garage and bringing out the virtual safety car.
Leclerc suffered as Hamilton pitted, although a full safety car allowed the Ferrari man to pit and at least close the gap on the Briton while giving up track position to Mercedes deputy Bottas.
Despite repeatedly attacking Bottas with the aid of DRS, there was no way through and Leclerc was frustrated for a second week running.
MERCEDES MAINTAIN SOCHI SUCCESS
The recent weeks have been tough for the Silver Arrows, but there is no doubting their dominance in Russia. They have won all six editions of the Sochi grand prix, with Hamilton claiming an outstanding four victories, having maintained a fine race pace to profit on the gifts that came his way.
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RENAULT'S RICCIARDO ROCKED AGAIN
A fourth-placed finish for Ricciardo at Monza unfortunately does not appear to have been a sign of things to come. He was heavily involved in a number of flashpoints in Singapore but could only finish 14th, and the Australian was another to retire this weekend. A puncture suffered in the early clash with Grosjean proved his undoing.
IN THE POINTS
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) +3.829secs
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +5.212secs
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +14.210secs
5. Alexander Albon (Red Bull) +38.348secs
6. Carlos Sainz (McLaren) +45.889secs
7. Sergio Perez (Racing Point) +48.728secs
8. Lando Norris (McLaren) +57.749secs
9. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) +58.779secs
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) +59.841secs
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DRIVER STANDINGS
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 322
2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 249 (-73)
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 215 (-107)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 212 (-110)
5. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 194 (-128)
CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS
1. Mercedes 571
2. Ferrari 409 (-162)
3. Red Bull 511 (-260)
4. McLaren 101 (-470)
5. Renault 68 (-503)
WHAT'S NEXT?
There are just five races remaining and Hamilton has surely built an unassailable lead now, with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka next in two weeks' time.
