SOCHI: Lewis Hamilton won the inaugural Russian Formula One Grand Prix in emphatic fashion and extended his championship lead to 17 points on Sunday in a Mercedes one-two that clinched the team’s maiden constructors’ title.

The 29-year-old Briton, starting from his 38th pole position, chalked up his fourth win in a row and ninth of the season after German team-mate Nico Rosberg locked up at the first corner and damaged his tyres in a costly error.

Hamilton finished the race 13.657 seconds ahead Rosberg and the 31st success of his career saw him draw level with fellow-Englishman Nigel Mansell in the record books.

He was presented the winner’s trophy by Russian president Vladi­mir Putin, who had pushed for his country to have a Formula One race.

“We’ve had an amazing week, Russia’s been so good to me,” Hamilton said from the podium. “It was kind of surreal for the president to be presenting the award,” Hamilton said later.

With 100 points still to be won from the final three races, thanks to double points in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton has 291 points to Rosberg’s 274 with everything still to play for.

The Briton lost the pole when Rosberg beat him to the first corner. But Rosberg had to brake hard, ruined his tires, cut a corner and was then told by his team to let Hamilton back into the lead because he had gained an unfair advantage.

Rosberg replied, “I have to box because of the vibrations.” After that, he was told by the team, “We think we need to go to the end on this set [of tires].”

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin gives a thumbs up to Russian F1 Grand Prix winner winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes on Sunday.—Reuters

Rosberg kept himself firmly in contention with a fine recovery drive from 20th place after his second lap pitstop.

“Sorry, guys,” said Rosberg. “That was very unnecessary [his attack on lap one], but thank you for the unbelievable car that allowed me to fight back to take second.”

Hamilton added: “Nico did a great job to return from his mistake. To get the first championship for Mercedes Benz is amazing, a beautiful day. It’s very cool to have won the first race here.”

Just a week after Jules Bianchi’s life-threatening accident in the storm-hit Japanese Grand Prix, where the French driver suffered severe head injuries, the race was preceded by tributes to support his fight for life in hospital in Yokkaichi.

Finn Valtteri Bottas finished third for Williams ahead of Briton Jenson Button and his McLaren team-mate, Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen, with two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Spain finishing sixth for Ferrari after an inspired, but troubled, drive.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo was seventh for Red Bull ahead of departing German team-mate and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and Finn Kimi Raikkonen, in the second Ferrari. Mexican Sergio Perez was 10th for Sauber.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2014