Lewis Hamilton immense run of form
continued as the reigning world champion took a commanding lights to flag victory
in the 2019 French Grand Prix, his sixth triumph in eight races this season.
The Mercedes driver built a rhythm
through the weekend, culminating in a brilliant pole position on Saturday,
which he converted with ease on Sunday afternoon at a scorching Circuit Paul
Ricard, crossing the line 18 seconds clear of team mate Valtteri Bottas. With
his 200th career point’s finish, Hamilton extends his lead over the Finn to 36
points.
It was Mercedes' eighth successive
victory of 2019, and their sixth one-two, maintaining their unbeaten record. Charles
Leclerc completed the podium after a lonely race to third - though he did give
Bottas a fright in the final two laps after benefitting from a late Virtual
Safety Car to put the Mercedes driver under pressure.
Leclerc's
Ferrari team mate Sebastian Vettel could only recover two positions from a poor
qualifying session to cross the line fifth but he did secure the fastest lap,
and the bonus point that comes with it, on his final lap, having boxed the
previous lap for softs. Max Verstappen finished where he started in fourth,
while Carlos Sainz finished an impressive sixth. His McLaren team mate Lando
Norris was set for seventh, but a late hydraulics issues meant he slipped into
the clutches of Daniel Ricciardo, who forced his way through on the last lap.
Norris had to go off track and dropped behind Kimi Raikkonen and Nico
Hulkenberg, limping across the line 10th.
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