Russian GP: Lewis Hamilton wins F1 epic forward of Max Verstappen as late rain wreaks havoc and causes Lando Norris heartbreak

What a race, and what a means for Lewis Hamilton to say his a hundredth F1 victory; Lando Norris held the lead for many of the race however selected to remain on dry tyres as heavy rain hit, and spun his McLaren; Max Verstappen second after beginning final, with Hamilton solely two factors forward in title race

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It is heartbreak for Lando Norris because the McLaren driver loses the result in Lewis Hamilton within the closing levels of the Russian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton received a merely astonishing Russian GP after long-time race chief Lando Norris suffered late heartbreak by spinning his McLaren off in heavy rain, with Max Verstappen benefitting to finish his comeback from the again of the grid to an unlikely second.

Following a dramatic and soaking moist finale, Hamilton took each the championship lead and his a hundredth System 1 victory – however the Sochi race was destined for his younger British compatriot who was so near his very first triumph.

Pole-sitter Norris appeared destined for that maiden F1 win after re-overtaking Carlos Sainz after which main nearly all of the race, even holding his cool as Hamilton got here charging via within the Mercedes after a tough begin of his personal.

However as rain began falling with simply eight laps to go, then getting more and more heavier, Norris opted to remain on his slick tyres whereas Hamilton and nearly all of the sphere opted for intermediates.

The choice turned out to be catastrophic as he couldn’t management his McLaren within the circumstances, spinning off into the boundaries. Hamilton was then there to capitalise.

“Lando did such a tremendous job, he had unbelievable tempo,” mentioned Hamilton, who recovered after dropping from fourth to seventh on the primary lap.

“The group made an important name proper on the finish. I did not wish to let Lando go and I did not know what the climate was doing.

“It will’ve been robust to get previous Lando except we got here as much as some site visitors or he made a mistake… so then the rain got here and it was very opportunistic.”

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Lewis Hamilton wins the Russian GP for his a hundredth victory in System 1

Hamilton claimed victory, though Verstappen was arguably the massive winner because the Dutchman, who was working seventh earlier than the rain as his early cost via the sphere light, modified tyres sooner than many others and completed second.

The tip consequence means Verstappen has misplaced his title lead – which Purple Bull anticipated with their engine penalty – however Hamilton is simply two factors clear within the standings.

Sainz accomplished the rostrum, ending forward of Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, who was one other driver to learn vastly from the rain, and Fernando Alonso.

Norris was seventh though might have an extra blow coming his means; he’ll doubtlessly obtain a penalty for crossing the white line when lastly coming into the pits for the moist tyres.

Russian GP Race Outcome
1) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2) Max Verstappen, Purple Bull
3) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
4) Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren
5) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
6) Fernando Alonso, Alpine
7) Lando Norris, McLaren
8) Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo
9) Sergio Perez, Purple Bull
10) George Russell, Williams

Extra to comply with.