F1: Hamilton Wins In Russia; Mercedes Clinches Team Title

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Lewis Hamilton came ever so close to winning his third world championship as the Briton took over the lead from Nico Rosberg on lap seven, to go on to win his second Russian Grand Prix in a row Sunday afternoon at the Sochi Aerodrom.

Sebastian Vettel finished in second and Sergio Perez took third in a wild battle at the end with Finns Valterri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen.

“I felt like it was a big challenge today.” Said Hamilton to Laurence Edmondson of ESPN F1. “It’s a shame I didn’t get to race with Nico, which I was really excited about.”

Rosberg himself took the lead at the beginning of the race from Hamilton, but on the seventh lap encountered throttle pedal issues which dropped him down to third before entering the pits and retiring his car altogether. Rosberg must now win nearly every race in order to defeat his teammate with four races to go. The German now with his non-finish drops down to third, in back of countryman Vettel.

Hamilton never looked back following Rosberg’s reirement and as Vettel was coming home in an easy second place, a battle was ensuing between Perez, Bottas and Raikkonen. Both Finns overtook the Mexican coming into the last lap. But Raikkonen struck his countryman, pulling Bottas off the track, which gave Perez the opportunity to overtake both drivers for the last podium place. Raikkonen finished in fourth, but hours later was penalized for his infraction and was demoted to eighth, giving enough points for Mercedes to clinch their second consecutive world constructor’s championship.

Two safety car periods happened during the race, with the opening event occurring when Nico Hulkenberg spun in the other Force India, striking Sauber’s Markus Ericsson putting both cars out of the race. Another event happened 11 laps later when Romain Grosjean in his Lotus lost his rear and struck the barriers in turn three. The Frenchman emerged from the accident, but many drivers had their one stop strategy ruined by this accident. Hamilton stayed out in front even with these difficulties and easily took another victory at this circuit, with only 100 first place points up for grabs in the next four races. With 66 points behind Hamilton, Vettel must hope that the Briton runs into some trouble in order for the German to catch him.

Felipe Massa finished in fourth for Williams, while home hero Dani Kvyat took fifth in his Red Bull. Felipe Nasr gave Sauber some hard needed points in sixth, while Pastor Maldonado did the same for Lotus in seventh. Jenson Button puts two points up for McLaren-Honda in ninth, while Max Verstappen rounded out the point list in tenth for Toro Rosso.

Hamilton knows that he is closing in on the title, but for now the celebration is for the team title.

“I’ve got to enjoy what’s going on now and cherish the moment; there are still lots of points available this year.” Hamilton continued. “To get the Constructors’ Championship feels very special and a great feeling to be a part of this and to have contributed to the team’s success. It’s really an amazing feeling and I’m very proud of them up there on the podium, to see all their smiling faces. I feel like a small part in the chain of many people; I’m proud of that part and I look forward to seeing the whole team tomorrow at the factory. I knew the guys were going to do a good job this year but they’ve done an even better job this year than last, which is phenomenal.”