Reuters
Hockenheim, July 31: Lewis Hamilton cruised to an unchallenged victory in Sunday’s German Formula One Grand Prix to extend his lead over Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg at the top of the World Championship standings.
Hamilton seized the advantage at the start from pole-sitter Rosberg, who drove an underwhelming race in front of his home fans, and was never headed. The Briton crossed the line 6.9 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, on the podium for the second race in a row on his 100th grand prix appearance. His teammate Max Verstappen finished third, his fourth top-three result, to give Red Bull their first double rostrum in over a year.
Rosberg, who had looked unbeatable after topping every practice session, was only fourth after falling back at the start and collecting a five-second time-penalty for forcing Verstappen off the track. It was Hamilton’s sixth victory in the last seven races and fourth in succession. The 49th of the reigning champion’s career left him two adrift of Frenchman Alain Prost’s mark of 51.
He now leads Rosberg by 19 points in the standings with nine rounds of a record 21-race season remaining. Sebastian Vettel was fifth on his first appearance in Ferrari colours on home soil, crossing the line 32.5 seconds adrift of Hamilton, with teammate Kimi Raikkonen capping a disappointing weekend for the Italian team in sixth.
Force India finish with double points
Sahara Force India drivers returned with double points with Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez finishing seventh and 10th respectively. Germany’s Hulkenberg began the race at eighth and overtook Williams driver Valtteri Bottas towards the end to finish at seventh and grab six points for Force India at his home turf. His teammate Perez recovered from a poor start to end the race at 10th and took one point. The Mexican pipped McLaren’s Fernando Alonso with a late pass to bag the final championship point for Force India.
