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Russian Grand Prix LIVE: Result and reaction as Lewis Hamilton wins 100th career race in Sochi

Hamilton fights back to win in Sochi

Dan Austin
Sunday 26 September 2021 09:55 EDT
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Related video: Max Verstappen’s tyre rolls over Lewis Hamilton’s head in terrifying new clip

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Lando Norris started on pole for the first time in his F1 career and was largely in the lead through to lap 51 of 53 - but as the rain played havoc, he spun off the track allowing Lewis Hamilton to pass him and win in Sochi - the 100th race victory of his career.

With Max Verstappen starting at the back of the grid, the opportunity was there for Lewis Hamilton to close the gap at the top of the drivers’ championship, though he only started in fourth himself.

Norris and Carlos Sainz battled for the lead for a large part of the race as Hamilton dropped back initially, but after the weather change, a rush of tyre swaps left some spinning and others colliding, with Hamilton finally passing Norris just a couple of laps from the end.

Verstappen worked his way through to finish second, with Sainz completing the podium spots and Norris ending up back in seventh.

Follow the reaction from the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi below:

Norris slides off track and Hamilton leads!

LAP 51/53:

Lando Norris can’t keep it on the track! Hamilton takes the lead.

Dan Austin26 September 2021 14:30

Stroll and Gasly hit

LAP 51/53: Stroll has crashed again, this time spinning into Gasly.

They both carry on but Stroll is a mess out there.

Dan Austin26 September 2021 14:29

Hamilton pits for intermediates

LAP 50/53: Lando Norris stays out but Hamilton is in for intermediates!

The gap is huge but more rain is due to come.

Dan Austin26 September 2021 14:27

Stroll and Vettel touch

LAP 49/53: Sebastian Vettel is shoved into the wall by an absent-minded Lance Stroll and this is chaos now.

Verstappen and Ricciardo pit for intermediates.

Dan Austin26 September 2021 14:26

Drivers stopping for intermediate tyres

LAP 48/53: Midfield runners like Bottas, Raikkonen and Giovinazzi are stopping for intermediate tyres!

Mercedes call in Hamilton but he stays out.

Dan Austin26 September 2021 14:25

Perez on the podium

LAP 48/53: Sergio Perez slides past Carlos Sainz to take third place in the Red Bull.

Every driver is struggling badly now in the slippy conditions and Norris goes wide again!

Dan Austin26 September 2021 14:24

Norris goes wide in the rain!

LAP 47/53: Norris slips on the kerb at turn six and runs wide but Hamilton can’t take advantage!

The gap is pretty much nothing now and this is going to be a thrilling finish.

Dan Austin26 September 2021 14:23

Rain arrives!

LAP 46/53: Umbrellas are up in the stands and Norris reports “it is spitting quite a bit.”

Seven laps to go and the track is going to become pretty slippery now. Sainz tells Ferrari to “get ready with the inters.” Don’t go anywhere.

Dan Austin26 September 2021 14:22

Perez finally dispatches Ricciardo

LAP 45/53: Not long left to go now and Perez has made it past Ricciardo.

That’s fourth place secured for the Mexican.

Dan Austin26 September 2021 14:20

Perez scrapping with Ricciardo

LAP 41/53: Sergio Perez has been all over the gearbox of Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren for a couple of laps and looks strong in a straight line, but the Red Bull hasn’t had the downforce to make the move stick despite a couple of attempts around the outside of turn three.

This is a squabble for fourth place with Carlos Sainz comfortably ahead in third for now.

Dan Austin26 September 2021 14:14

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