Lewis Hamilton took advantage of a Ferrari meltdown to win the Russian Grand Prix and tighten his grip on a sixth world championship.
Podium
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Scroll down for full race result and updated standings
Race report
Sebastian Vettel insisted he did not defy team orders after Lewis Hamilton took advantage of a Ferrari meltdown to win in Russia and edge closer to a sixth Formula One world title.
Hamilton should never have been in contention to win here in Sochi, but for the bumbling Scuderia throwing away a certain one-two after Vettel broke down and Charles Leclerc dropped from first to third.
As the Briton celebrated his ninth victory of the year, moving 73 points clear in the standings with just 130 points remaining, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto was attempting to manage a driver crisis following the fallout from a curious agreement struck on the eve of Sunday's race.
The Italian team had decided that, in order to beat Hamilton and finish first and second, pole-sitter Leclerc would provide Vettel with a slipstream on the 900-metre charge to the opening bend. The arrangement determined that if Vettel, who started third, got ahead of both Hamilton and Leclerc, he would allow his team-mate back into the lead.
Ferrari three times ordered Vettel to let Leclerc by. Vettel rebuffed their orders. The German said that he would be in danger of losing third to Hamilton if he slowed down to let Leclerc through. He also argued that he made the move fair and square and without the advantage of a tow.
