Lewis Hamilton won the inaugural Russian Grand Prix in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin. With his 31st career win, the British driver has extended his championship lead to 17 points to his nearest rival and teammate Nico Rosberg who came second. With another one two finish, the Team Mercedes clinched the team's first Constructors' title. The 2014 season will end after the three remaining races at United States, Brazil and Abu Dhabi are done.
Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, also became only the fourth driver in F1 history to win nine races in a single season and equalled Nigel Mansell's British record of 31 career victories. The Briton who started the race from pole position completed his 53 laps of 308.9 kms (192 miles) in 1hr 31min and 50.744 seconds with an average speed of 325.64 kmph (202.34mph). His partner and Mercedes second driver Rosberg finished second in race followed by William’s Valtteri Bottas and McLaren duo Jenson Button and Denmark Kevin Magnussen. Team Force India’s Sergio Perez finished 10th while his teammate Nico Hulkenberg finished by not scoring a single point.
After winning the Russian Grand Prix Hamilton said, "Nico did a great job to return from his mistake." He further added "To get the first championship for Mercedes Benz is amazing, a beautiful day. "It's very cool to have won the first race here."
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It was kind of a good gesture from the winners as they made sure that the head of Russian Federation left the stage before spraying the champagne to celebrate.
Red Bull principal Christian Horner said, "It will be going just up the road to Brackley and congratulations to Mercedes on what they have achieved this season, they have been phenomenal. We will be working hard to take the trophy back the 12 miles to us in 12 months' time."
Source : CarDekho