Track Torque: Hamilton rules in Russia
The disappointment of the race was that the Ferraris, despite their new package, were unable to match the speed of the two Silver Arrows.
Lewis Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas both drove faultless races to finish the Russian Grand Prix in first and second places respectively.
Bottas made the running for most of the race and then handed over to Lewis Hamilton to finish the job.
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Hamilton now has a huge lead of 50 points over Sebastian Vettel.
The disappointment of the race was that the Ferraris, despite their new package, were unable to match the speed of the two Silver Arrows.
Thus, despite sterling efforts by Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen they just could not maintain prolonged pressure on the two Mercedes cars.
Behind the two Ferraris, which were third and fourth respectively, came the flying Dutchman Max Verstappen, who earned his driver of the day title for a wonderful display of consistent overtaking as he came through the field from 18th on the grid to fifth position at the flag.
Behind Verstappen was Daniel Ricciardo, who also performed very well to bring the second Red Bull home in sixth place.
Verstappen had led the race for quite a long time after making his way through the field without a pit stop until very late in the race. It was his final pit stop that put him back into position.
Charles Leclerc, in the Sauba Alfa Romeo, drove another storming race and is still odds on favorite to get a Ferrari drive next year.
Behind Leclerc came Kevin Magnussen in the Haas in eight position, well-deserved after being quick all weekend.
The two Force India cars, now under new ownership, had also done well in qualifying and in the race by finishing in ninth and 10th places respectively.
The teams will now regroup in haste as the next race is at Suzuka in Japan this Sunday (7th), meaning little time to unpack and get the cars ready for another battle of the titans at the very technical track.
The track not only has an underpass – as it does a figure of eight – but every corner is unique, from the high speed 130R to the hairpin at the end of the straights.
It is always a great challenge and could suit Ferrari and Red Bull a bit more. Roll on Japan.
Drivers: 1 Lewis Hamilton 306; 2 Sebastian Vettel 256; 3 Valtteri Bottas 189; 4 Kimi Raikkonen 186; 5 Max Verstappen 158; 6 Daniel Ricciardo 134.
Team: 1 Mercedes 495; 2 Ferrari 442; 3 Red Bull 292.
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