Russian GP: Valtteri Bottas makes way for Lewis Hamilton to go 50 points clear of Sebastian Vettel
Valtteri Bottas moved aside to let Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton win the Russian Grand Prix and surge 50 points clear in the Formula One championship on Sunday with five races remaining.
The victory was a landmark 70th for the Briton, who is well on his way to a fifth title and is now 21 wins behind the all-time record of 91 held by seven times champion Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton's closest rival Sebastian Vettel finished third for Ferrari with Bottas, who led from pole position but was told to let Hamilton through after 25 of the 53 laps, securing the Mercedes one-two.
In a race with little other drama, Max Verstappen celebrated his 21st birthday in style by steering his Red Bull from the back to the front, dropping back to fifth after finally pitting with 10 laps to go.
Mercedes remain unbeaten in Russia, Sunday being their fifth win in Sochi since the Olympic Park circuit first appeared on the calendar in 2014. Hamilton has now won eight races this season.
The Briton, who pulled off an impressive overtake on Vettel for fourth after he dropped behind the German at the pitstops, stayed in the car for some time after he parked up at the finish.
A crucial move by @LewisHamilton to get past Sebastian Vettel and allow Mercedes to take control of the #RussianGP
Several laps later, he's 50 points clear of his title rival #F1 pic.twitter.com/AKlsCXCACc
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2018
He then went over to thank Bottas and commiserate. At the podium ceremonies, with Russian president Vladimir Putin doing the honours, Hamilton manoeuvred the Finn onto the top step alongside him.
"It's actually quite a difficult day," explained the Briton. "He was a real gentleman to let me by. Usually, I'd be elated but I can understand how difficult it was for Valtteri."
HAMILTON: "It's actually quite a difficult day. Valtteri was a real gentleman to let me through. To have a one-two - usually we'd be elated. Valtteri deserved to win... but today it was a real team effort" #RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/RHSwKU0ZkK
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2018
The Finn, without a win this season, had asked the team over the radio, more in hope than expectation, in the closing laps whether the order might change back.
"Is this how we are going to finish the race?" he asked, before the answer came back in the affirmative.
LAP 52/53: @MercedesAMGF1
BOT: "How are we gonna finish the race?"
TEAM: "Positions stay as they are"#RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/LkHOk165XU— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2018
"Valtteri this is Toto. Difficult day for you and a difficult day for us," said team boss Toto Wolff, whose finger had been captured by the world television feed hovering over the 'tactics' button before the order was given.
"Let's discuss it afterwards when we come together and we'll explain things."
WOLFF: "Valtteri, this is Toto. It was a difficult day for you and a difficult day for us. Let's discuss it after the race"#RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/E9pnUMxUit
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2018
"A difficult day. A good result as a team but personally as everyone saw it was quite difficult. Lewis is fighting for the championship so we always have a plan, but it is what it is," said Bottas after the race.
(With Reuters Inputs)
from Daily News & Analysis https://ift.tt/2xXq9GK
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