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 10:48 · Jack Watson]

Hello!

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Russian Grand Prix.

Things get underway at 12:10 BST (that's 14:10 if you're in Sochi) and we'll be bringing you all the action as Lewis Hamilton looks to extend his 40 point Championship lead.

[30 September 2018 10:48 · Jack Watson]

The grid

1. Vitteri 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

[30 September 2018 10:57 · Jack Watson]

Story of qualifying

Vettel's start from third feels distant. He has some job on his hands to close down Hamilton's 40-point lead.

[30 September 2018 11:21 · Jack Watson]

Special day for Verstappen

He may be starting on the back line of the gird, but Max Verstappen has managed to put on a smile on his 21st birthday....TWENTY-ONE!

You sense that today is a free hit for Red Bull, with both drivers at the back of the grid, so it'll be fun to watch them make their way through the pack. Who knows where they could finish?

"Hopefully in two years' time we will have the whole package together, " he told Sky Sports. "Then I'll be more or less 23, so then we have another six, seven years to win championships. So hopefully around four. I hope, that would be nice. This is my fourth season in F1, it has gone really quick, and I'm only 21."

"Lewis has always been really nice to me, he's a cool guy and he deserves where he is at the moment in his career. He's a very talented driver first of all, but he also works hard for it to achieve the results."

[30 September 2018 11:30 · Jack Watson]

Who said what?

Vitteri Bottas, P1

"It was a nice lap. I think Lewis aborted his, but it feels good. 

"I am really happy, for sure, but it is only the first step of this weekend and it is a long run from the start line to turn one.

"My approach to the race is to win. You can't have any other goal starting from pole.

"Obviously Lewis is leading the championship with a bit of a gap to Sebastian, and a very big gap to me, so you always need to keep those things in mind."

Lewis Hamilton, P2

"All of our goals is to win this race. Valtteri just did the better job today.

"It was intense naturally, but my last two laps were not special and you can't always get it right. At least we are still in the fight for tomorrow."

Sebastian Vettel, P3

"It was important to get as close as important to them," he said. "It should have been a lot closer, but not enough to be a threat.

"I just spoke to Valtteri and reminded him about what happened last year. Hopefully we can turn it around. That would be nice.

"They're very quick, so we'll see. Tomorrow is a long race. The car felt all right so that makes me a bit positive for Sunday." 

[30 September 2018 11:36 · Jack Watson]

Weather

It's an overcast but warm day in Sochi. There's a very, very small chance of rain, but it should be a comfortable afternoon for the drivers.

[30 September 2018 11:37 · Jack Watson]

A warm welcome

Could you imagine if this greeted you every time you went to work in the morning? The first time would be pretty cool, but my word this would be annoying. 

[30 September 2018 11:39 · Jack Watson]

"Spots of rain"

Hang on a second! Maybe there could be rain after all, how exciting. 

[30 September 2018 11:42 · Jack Watson]

The standings

With six races to go, it's certainly Lewis Hamilton's championship to lose. 

[30 September 2018 11:45 · Jack Watson]

On the grid

There's just 20 minutes to go until this mob clear off and the racing gets underway!