Russian Grand Prix LIVE: Result and reaction as Lewis Hamilton wins 100th career race in Sochi
Hamilton fights back to win in Sochi
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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:
Sainz in the pits
LAP 15/53: Carlos Sainz is into the pits in order to cover off Lance Stroll and it’s a slow stop with a delay on the rear left tyre. Still, the Spaniard just about keeps the Aston Martin behind. The undercut is massively powerful here,
Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton are yet to pit and losing time to those who have.
Stroll undercuts Russell
LAP 14/53: George Russell pits for Williams and comes out behind Lance Stroll in the Aston Martin who has made the undercut work.
That’s Stroll up into a net third position once the rest of the cars ahead make their stops soon.
Norris takes the lead!
LAP 13/53: Lando Norris re-takes the lead!
The McLaren man has DRS and slipstream down the beack straight and dummies Sainz, moving from the inside to the outside to make the move.
Superb driving from the youngster.
Stroll makes first stop
LAP 13/53: Lance Stroll makes the first pit-stop of the front runners while attempting the undercut.
The Canadian was fourth and has found some clean air behind Bottas. Expect more pit-stops very shortly.
Norris complaining about tyres
LAP 13/53: Lando Norris has been on the radio to say his “front left is completely gone” and he is dropping back from Carlos Sainz now.
He’s out of DRS range from the Ferrari.
Verstappen passes Leclerc
LAP 11/53: Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc are squabbling but that battle allows Verstappen to join the fray.
The Dutchman makes slight contact with the Ferrari but his front-wing isn’t damaged and he makes the overtake around the next corner.
Norris closing in
LAP 10/53: Sainz appears to be trying to manage his tyres and that has allowed Norris to close in on the Ferrari.
The Brit is now only 0.8s behind the Spaniard and within DRS change. This could get tasty soon between the former team-mates.
Verstappen making moves
LAP 9/53: Max Verstappen has overtaken Valtteri Bottas in a crucial move.
The Dutchman has followed that up swiftly with a pass on Pierre Gasly and is now in 13th with Charles Leclerc ahead.
Bottas remains 15th.
Sainz building strong lead
LAP 7/53: Carlos Sainz has built up a gap of almost two seconds ahead of Lando Norris, while George Russell is helping the Ferrari driver out enormously too.
The Williams car is heading a DRS train in front of Lance Stroll, Daniel Ricciardo, Lewis Hamilton and Sergio and Perez, which is stopping the faster cars from making in-roads into Sainz’s lead.
Verstappen challenging Bottas
LAP 4/53: Max Verstappen has already caught up to Valterri Bottas in 15th place and the Dutchman is all over the Mercedes’ gearbox.
No sign of rain coming for now so Verstappen needs to make this move quickly if he can, but Bottas has just set the fastest lap of the race.
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