Thanks to team orders: Hamilton triumphs in Russia

Formula 1 defending champion Lewis Hamilton also won the Russian Grand Prix and, with his eighth win of the season, further extended his lead in the World Championship duel with Sebastian Vettel. The Brit relegated his Finnish Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas to second place in Sochi on Sunday.

Vettel didn't get past third place in the Ferrari and is now 50 points behind Hamilton in the championship standings. With five races still remaining, Vettel can no longer win the World Cup on his own.

Radio message to Bottas Meanwhile, the “stall order tactic” continues to cause discussions. Because pole man Bottas had to let Hamilton pass during the race due to a clear Mercedes stable order.

The command post asked the leading Bottas via radio message on lap 25 to let Hamilton overtake. The Finn didn't let his teammate do it with much enthusiasm and continued his race from then on as a brake on Vettel.

“We had to do this,” the box radioed to Bottas and asked for understanding. Without Vettel breathing down his neck and Bottas in the front, Hamilton drove towards what was now an assured victory.

Vettel became a “risk” The Ferrari driver initially got closer to Hamilton, but at the same time the Englishman complained about blisters forming on his tires.

The Silver Arrows command post reacted. “You have to let Lewis pass in Turn 13,” chief strategist James Vowles radioed Bottas, “Vettel is becoming a risk.”

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Thanks to team orders: Hamilton triumphs in Russia

“You have to let Lewis pass in turn 13. Vettel is becoming a risk.” Lewis Hamilton celebrated a victory with a bland aftertaste on Sunday.

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