Lewis Hamilton back on top with victory in Spain

TIL Desk Sports/ Lewis Hamilton roared back to the top of the Formula One world championship on Sunday with victory in Spain as Mercedes continued their record start to a season with a fifth successive one-two. The 76th victory of the five times world champion’s career, and third of the season, sent the Briton seven points clear of Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas after five of the 21 races.

Hamilton took an extra point for the fastest lap of the race, his first of the campaign, and was helped by a safety car deployment 20 laps from the end giving him a free second pitstop. Max Verstappen finished third for Honda-powered Red Bull with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, at a loss to rein in Mercedes, crossing the line fourth and fifth respectively.

“This is history in the making to have five one-twos,” said Hamilton. “I’m very proud to be a part of that and proud of everyone’s hard work.” Bottas had started on pole position as championship leader but made a sluggish getaway and lost out in a three-abreast rush to the first corner, with Hamilton on the inside and Vettel trying his chances on the outside.