Lewis Hamilton extended his Formula 1 victory to 93 after winning the Emilia-Romagna GP ahead of Valtteri Bottas with Max Verstappen crashing to lose out.
Mercedes also went on to clinch its record seventh straight Constructors’ Championship with the result, while Hamilton can go on to seal his seventh title at the next race, which will take place in Turkey.
Hamilton was in front for most periods of the race while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dramatically crashed after going past Bottas and had to bring out the Safety Car on F1’s Imola return.
Hamilton, however, held his nerve and went on to secure maximum points from second-placed Bottas while Daniel Ricciardo secured his second podium in three races for Renault.
“People watching may feel we’re used to this, but it always feels like the first with this team and that’s because of the spirit,” says Hamilton on Mercedes’ achievement.
“So I’m forever grateful to be a part of it and breaking a record like this. No one has ever done it before.
“It’s unbelievable… Seven-times champs, that’s something I’m going to be able to tell my grandchildren one day.”
Mercedes has had it rather smooth in Formula 1 in 2020 but not as smooth for Lewis Hamilton who started second at Emilia-Romagna GP, then drifted to third after losing one place to Verstappen on the start.
The Englishman then struggled through the first stint of the race after getting stuck behind Bottas and the Red Bull driver, yet he ran longer than his two rivals and with Bottas struggling for pace and Verstappen unable to pass him, had built up a big enough gap to overcut his rivals before he was given a further helping hand by a Virtual Safety Car, caused by Esteban Ocon’s stoppage.
Hamilton then emerged from the pits with a huge lead, then extended it further making sure he was 13s clear of Verstappen after the Dutchman overtook Bottas on the main straight.
Soon after, Verstappen lost the advantage when his Red Bull car failed and went spinning into the wall, leading to that late Safety Car.
Both Mercedes finished in first and second respectively, but Hamilton has steered clear from the only man who can stop him in his bid for a record-equalling crown.
In the closing stages, the big battle was right behind Mercedes as Daniel Ricciardo held off a late charge from Daniil Kvyat for third place.
Charles Leclerc took fifth position finishing ahead of Sergio Perez while Alex Albon endured almost as painful a finish as team-mate Verstappen.
Albon made an unforced error by spinning his Red Bull off the track while duelling with Perez following the Safety Car and ended up finishing last of the 15 remaining drivers.
Emilia-Romagna GP Race Result
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
3. Daniel Ricciardo, Renault
4. Daniil Kvyat, AlphaTauri
5. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
6. Sergio Perez, Racing Point
7. Carlos Sainz, McLaren
8. Lando Norris, McLaren
9. Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo
10. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo
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