FORMULA 1
ANOTHER LCH WIN ANOTHER BAD DAY FOR BOTTAS
LCH sealed a record-extending 93rd Formula 1 victory after recovering from third to win the Emilia-Romagna GP ahead of Valtteri Bottas, after Max Verstappen’s crash led to a chaotic finish.
Mercedes, who were pushed hard by Verstappen, clinched their record seventh straight Constructors’ Championship with the result, while Hamilton, 85 points clear in the standings, can wrap up his seventh title at the next race in Turkey
Max Verstappen’s tyre blows and retires from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix from second place
LCH was leading from Verstappen before the Red Bull driver, following a long-awaited pass on Bottas, dramatically span off into the gravel to bring out the Safety Car on F1’s Imola return.
Hamilton then kept his nerve to secure maximum points from Bottas – who struggled with damage from the second lap of the race he started on pole – while Daniel Ricciardo secured his second podium in three races for Renault.
Folk 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,” said 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.”