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 13:33 · Jack Watson]

Lap 47/53

Team orders

Bottas was told to allow Hamilton through on lap 25, much to his displeasure, but was it the right decision?

 

[30 September 2018 13:34 · Jack Watson]

Lap 48/53

Vettel can't even hope for any back markers to hold up Hamilton, like in Singapore, because the track is wide enough to avoid these kind of issues. The Ferrari now goes a bit wide and leaves the road on the exit of a turn as he pushes hard to close the three second gap on Bottas.

[30 September 2018 13:37 · Jack Watson]

Lap 50/53

Verstappen has not got any better since coming out from the pits on the hypersoft tyres and Raikkonen appears to be seeing it through in fourth. 

[30 September 2018 13:38 · Jack Watson]

Lap 51/53

Two to go!

1    HAM    Mercedes

2    BOT    Mercedes

3    VET    Ferrari

4    RAI    Ferrari

5    VPN    Red Bull

6    RIC    Red Bull

7    LEC    Sauber

8    MAG    Haas

9    OCO    Force India

10    PER    Force India

11    HUL    Renault

12    GRO    Haas

13    ERI    Sauber

14    ALO    McLaren

15    STR    Williams

16    SAI    Renault

17    VAN    McLaren

18    SIR    Williams

R    GAS    Toro Rosso

R    HAR    Toro Rosso

[30 September 2018 13:39 · Jack Watson]

Lap 51/53

Vladimir Putin has just made his way to the stands, maybe he's been balancing the Ryder Cup and the Grand Prix this afternoon. How good would a world leaders Olympics be, by the way?! Can anyone else imagine it?

[30 September 2018 13:41 · Jack Watson]

Lap 52/53

Bottas is told after the race that they will discuss the team orders after the race after he is told that Hamilton will hold onto the win. Vettel is not challenging the Mercedes drivers and, in theory, Hamilton could hand back the lead to his teammate, but that's not on the menu. 

[30 September 2018 13:41 · Jack Watson]

Lap 53/53

Here he comes, Hamilton is unscathed. 

[30 September 2018 13:42 · Jack Watson]

Hamilton wins the Russian Grand Prix

It's a W for Mercedes team orders and Hamilton has a 50 point lead in the Championship

1. Hamilton

2. Bottas

3. Vettel

4. Raikkonen

5. Verstappen 

[30 September 2018 13:44 · Jack Watson]

Team orders

"Difficult day for you, difficult day for us. Let's discuss later."

Toto Wolff is now on the radio to Bottas to tell him they will talk about the team orders after the race. Surely he's here to win the race and he can really feel hard done by. 

[30 September 2018 13:46 · Jack Watson]

Full results

1    HAM    Mercedes    

2    BOT    Mercedes    

3    VET    Ferrari    

4    RAI    Ferrari    

5    VPN    Red Bull    

6    RIC    Red Bull    

7    LEC    Sauber    

8    MAG    Haas    

9    OCO    Force India    

10    PER    Force India    

11    GRO    Haas    

12    HUL    Renault    

13    ERI    Sauber    

14    ALO    McLaren    

15    STR    Williams    

16    VAN    McLaren    

17    SAI    Renault    

18    SIR    Williams    

R    GAS    Toro Rosso    Retired (4)

R    HAR    Toro Rosso    Retired (4)