Nico Rosberg dominated Sunday 2016
Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix after a Sochi race in which his main rivals struck
trouble. Team mate Lewis Hamilton fought his way up from 10th on the
grid to secure a Mercedes one-two, as Ferrari Kimi Raikkonen completed the
podium.
It was Rosberg fourth win of the
season and his seventh in succession, and gives him a 43 point lead in the
driver standings. Hamilton, meanwhile, believed he had the pace to win, but yet
again saw his challenge compromised as falling water pressure obliged him to
back off after he had reduced a 12.9s deficit to 7.5s between laps 23 and 36.
Where the World Champion at least
finished second this time, however, it was another pure disaster for 2016 other
unlucky man, Sebastian Vettel. He was hit from behind by Chinese nemesis Daniil
Kvyat in Turn 2 on the opening lap as he pushed the Ferrari inside Daniel
Ricciardo sister Red Bull. Then as Vettel appeared to slow slightly with a
resulting rear puncture he was again hit from behind by Kvyat and sent spinning
hard into the wall in Turn 3. The Russian was given a 10s stop-go-penalty and
three penalty points, but Vettel was done.
Valtteri Bottas was strong
initially despite losing second place on the opening lap to Raikkonen, the
Williams driver got that back after a safety car intervention because of Vettel
accident and a resultant Turn 2 clash further back between Haas Esteban, the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg,
Marcus Ericsson Sauber and Rio Haryanto’s Manor, as racing resumed on the
fourth lap.
Rosberg now has a lead of 43 points
over Hamilton and joins Alberto Ascari, Michael Schumacher and Vettel as the
only men ever to win seven Grand Prix in a row. As Raikkonen rises to third
with 36 points, Vettel himself lies fourth on 33, one ahead of Massa.
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