Lewis Hamilton turned the primary Method One driver to win 100 grands prix with a dramatic rain-assisted victory in Russia that despatched the Mercedes driver again to the highest of the championship on Sunday.
Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen completed a powerful second at Sochi’s Olympic Park, after beginning twentieth and final on account of engine penalties, thereby limiting the injury from his rival’s win.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton is now two factors away from Verstappen with seven races remaining, after beginning fourth on the grid and 5 factors behind the younger Dutchman.
A momentous day for Lewis Hamilton
A outstanding fightback drive from Max Verstappen#RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/sPoC9VEzXe— Method 1 (@F1) September 26, 2021
Spaniard Carlos Sainz was third for Ferrari on a day of heartbreak for McLaren’s Lando Norris, who led three laps from the tip however determined to remain out on slicks because the rain started to fall and ended up seventh.
“What a race the climate offered. It’s taken a very long time to get to 100 and I wasn’t positive it might come,” stated Hamilton, who final season handed Ferrari nice Michael Schumacher’s earlier report of 91 wins.
“Max should’ve carried out a very nice job to come back as much as second from final. We’ve bought our work minimize out,” added the Briton.
Hamilton had pitted from second place for intermediates with 4 laps to go and it was the suitable choice as Norris, on pole for the primary time in his profession and heading for a primary win, discovered to his dismay.
The 21-year-old Briton slid and slithered on the treacherous floor as Hamilton made up the 25-second hole and seized the lead.
LEWIS: “A giant thanks to the followers right here. It’s taken a very long time to get to 100 and I wasn’t even positive it might come. Lando did such a tremendous job. I’m extremely grateful to the staff right here and on the manufacturing unit”
#RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/WLR9B5qKSn— Method 1 (@F1) September 26, 2021
“The staff made an awesome name proper on the finish. I didn’t wish to let Lando go and I didn’t know what the climate was doing,” stated Hamilton.
“It might’ve been robust to get previous Lando except we got here as much as some site visitors or he made a mistake, which he hasn’t been doing, so then the rain got here and it was very opportunistic.”
Whereas Hamilton celebrated a private century, his Mercedes staff maintained their very own 100per cent report in Sochi.
The champions have gained each Russian grand prix because the first in 2014, Hamilton triumphant in 5 of them.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo, winner of the earlier race at Italy’s Monza circuit, was fourth for McLaren, with Valtteri Bottas fifth for Mercedes after beginning sixteenth.
