Lewis Hamilton wins Russian Grand Prix, extends lead in F1 title race

 

Sochi (Russia): A supreme Lewis Hamilton made history in Sochi on Sunday when he won the inaugural Russian Grand Prix for his fourth straight victory to extend his lead in the F1 title race and secure Mercedes a maiden constructors’ title. Starting from his 38th pole position, the 29-year-old Briton cruised to the 31st success of his career to draw level with fellow-Englishman Nigel Mansell in the record books.

 

He took the chequered flag 13.657 seconds ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. Hamilton’s win lifted him 17 points clear of Rosberg, who produced a stirring recovery drive from the back of the field after making a mistake that required an opening lap pit stop.

 

Hamilton now has 291 points to Rosberg’s 274 with three races remaining. Just a week after Jules Bianchi’s life-threatening accident in the storm-hit Japanese Grand Prix, where the French driver suffered head injuries, the race was preceded by tributes to support his fight for life.