Russian Grand Prix - as it happened: Lewis Hamilton beats Valtteri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel

Relive all the action from the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi

Formula 1: Official intro video

From pole, Valtteri Bottas got a good start and almost hung Lewis Hamilton out to dry as he defended his position in the first two turns and invited Sebastian Vettel to attack his teammate. The Ferrari edged in front of Hamilton, but the championship leader held his nerve and swatted him away.

Hamilton held off championship rival Sebastian Vettel after a tight battle following a strategic pit-stop by Ferrari, and was then given clearance by Mercedes to pass Bottas on lap 25 after establishing a lead over the German, taking the win away from his teammate.

The procession to the finish was made a little more complicated by a minor engine problem and a tyre blister on Hamilton’s car, but it was a nevertheless another important victory, and with a 50 point lead over Vettel, it meant that the British driver placed one hand on his fifth championship title.

Preview

When is it?

The fifth Russian Grand Prix, in it’s current format, is on Sunday 30 September.

What time does it start?

The race in Sochi begins at 12:10 BST

Where can I watch it?

Sky Sports will be showing live coverage on Sky Sports F1 and online on the Sky Go app. You can also follow the action with The Independent’s live blog above.

The starting grid

1. Valtteri Bottas

2. Lewis Hamilton

3. Sebastian Vettel

4. Kimi Raikkonen

5. Kevin Magnussen

6. Esteban Ocon

7. Charles Leclerc

8. Sergio Perez

9. Romain Grosjean

10. Marcus Ericsson

11. Carlos Sainz Jnr

12. Nico Hulkenberg

13. Sergey Sirotkin

14. Stoffel Vandoorne

15. Lance Stroll

16. Fernando Alonso

17. Pierre Gasly

18. Brendon Hartley

19. Max Verstappen

20. Daniel Ricciardo

Key Points

• Valtteri Bottas starts on pole after Lewis Hamilton made a rare error in qualifying
• Hamilton starts in second as he looks to add to his driver's championship lead of 40 points
• Sebastian Vettel starts in third, alongside Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen
• Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo start from the back of the grid after engine penalties

[30 September 2018 11:59 · Jack Watson]

Unpredictable weather 

Kevin Magnussen won the battle of the rest and starts in fifth, but is expecting an unpredictable race, not to mention the weather. "No idea it wasn't supposed to rain but it looks a little bit unpredictable," he said on Sky Sports.

[30 September 2018 12:06 · Jack Watson]

Well this is interesting

There are a couple of umbrellas being put up as it begins to spit on the grid. Lewis Hamilton has been complaining about the lack of grip from the front row, this could very well play into Vettel's hands.

The sun is shining but there is a collection of ever growing black clouds working their way from the mountains towards the street circuit.

[30 September 2018 12:10 · Jack Watson]

Formation lap

The warmers on the tires are pulled off and Bottas leads the grid on it's formation lap.

Vettel is told there is some rain around turn 10, although he is assured that it is not something to be too concerned about.

[30 September 2018 12:14 · Jack Watson]

They're off!

Lights out and away we go!

Bottas leads the charge to turn one.

After a long hold Bottas gets a poor start and Vettel briefly gets past Hamilton on the outside! Bottas holds his position as Vettel continues his attack through turns two and three as Bottas hangs Hamilton out to try but Mercedes managed to hang onto their one-two!

[30 September 2018 12:16 · Jack Watson]

Lap 1/53

Well that was a great start from the two Mercedes, but it could have been so much worse. Bottas got a great second phase after an initially poor jump as the lights went out. He had the position over Hamilton, but could not quite hold onto second as he nibbled at Bottas and allowed the Brit to hold onto his place. 

[30 September 2018 12:17 · Jack Watson]

Lap 2/53

Wow, Verstappen is already up to 9th! He's passing someone almost on every corner and he's already close to the points after starting from the back row. 

"You're doing a very, very good job here Max. Remember the ultimate objective," he is told. Well that ambiguous ending is exciting, what could that be?

[30 September 2018 12:20 · Jack Watson]

Lap 4/53

Hartley is into the pits and is done with his hypersoft tyres and goes for the softs. He should be able to nurse these through to the end. 

[30 September 2018 12:22 · Jack Watson]

Lap 5/53

So after five laps Bottas has extends his lead over Hamilton to 1.5 seconds, and Vettel is trailing the second Mercedes by 2.5 seconds. It is hard to see the Ferrari coming back from this.

[30 September 2018 12:24 · Jack Watson]

6/53

Wow! Verstappen is now up to seventh and is closing in on Magnussen....and he's past The DRS is open and he eases his way through. Sixth place for the Red Bull.

These moves since the first lap are not overly impressive and his use of DRS is making it a straightforward job to carve his way through, nobody is putting up too much of a fight. 

[30 September 2018 12:27 · Jack Watson]

8/53

Both Toro Rossos are out

They both took an early spin and damage to the car has forced them both to retire. That's Hartley's fifth and Gasley's fourth.