Hamilton takes Russian win from Bottas with Mercedes team orders

Mercedes deployed team orders to assist a Russian Grand Prix victory for Lewis Hamilton over team-mate Valtteri Bottas, with Sebastian Vettel coming home third in Sochi to see Hamilton's championship lead swell to 50 points with just five races remaining in 2018.

Bottas had stunned a "slacking" Hamilton in qualifying and consolidated his Saturday success with a strong start as Hamilton battled Vettel in the opening half of the race.

After Ferrari's strategy helped Vettel jump Hamilton at the pit-stops, the Brit fought back on track to pass his championship rival two corners after almost rear-ending him.

Having picked up blisters on his rear tyres in the fight, Hamilton was still at risk of falling into Vettel's clutches, until Mercedes ordered Bottas to let his team-mate through.

YES!!! What a result!!! 1-2 at the @SochiAutodrom! ????@LewisHamilton wins the #RussianGP, @ValtteriBottas finishes P2!

Amazing job by our guys! ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/51pBpH0lO6 — Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) September 30, 2018

There was no returning of the favour as Hamilton led his team-mate over the finish line – the decision further consolidating his chances of a fifth world title.

Bottas was audibly frustrated at Mercedes' refusal to let him back past Hamilton, Toto Wolff radioing the Finn to describe it as a "difficult" race.

???? @MercedesAMGF1

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

Ferrari have struggled to match Mercedes' pace all weekend and third place was perhaps the limit of Vettel's ambitions owing to the Silver Arrows' superior pace.

Max Verstappen celebrated his 21st birthday with a stellar drive from P19, moving to fifth inside eight laps and leading the race for a large chunk as he pulled off a supreme extended opening stint.

A crescendo on ultrasofts fell flat as the Red Bull suddenly lost pace and the Dutchman had to settle for fifth, between Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo – who executed a similar strategy in less eye-catching manner from P18.

Charles Leclerc secured an impressive seventh-placed finish which featured a brilliant early overtake on Kevin Magnussen, who came home behind him with Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon rounding off the top 10.