Lewis Hamilton won a dramatic Russian Grand Prix, although much of it happened behind the Briton as he took a dominant victory for Mercedes.
The Briton fought hard against team-mate Nico Rosberg – who enjoyed a great start – before an opening lap Safety Car following a collision between Nico Hulkenberg, Max Verstappen and Marcus Ericsson, halted their battle.
As the race resumed, Rosberg reported a sticking throttle which allowed Hamilton to pass the German fairly easily, just moments before Rosberg retired his car to record his second DNF of the season.
A second Safety Car was called for Romain Grosjean. The Frenchman suffered a heavy impact with the barrier as he lost his car whilst chasing down McLaren’s Jenson Button who finished ninth.
Hamilton dominated at the front, but drama unfolded behind as battle for the final podium place was fought between Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen.
The fight eventually came to head when Bottas and Raikkonen got ahead of the Mexican, only to collide with one another a few corners later, handing the podium place back to the Force India driver.
Sebastian Vettel finished second to overtake Rosberg in the championship standings.
2015 Russian Grand Prix Race Result:
# | Driver | Team | Gap | Points |
01. | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 25 | |
02. | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | +5.9 | 18 |
03. | Sergio Perez | Force India | +28.9 | 15 |
04. | Felipe Massa | Williams | +38.8 | 12 |
05. | Daniil Kvyat | Red Bull | +56.5 | 10 |
06. | Felipe Nasr | Sauber | +61.0 | 8 |
07. | Pastor Maldonado | Lotus | +68.4 | 6 |
08. | Kimi Raikkonen* | Ferrari | +77.5 | 4 |
09. | Jenson Button | McLaren | +79.4 | 2 |
10. | Max Verstappen | Toro Rosso | +88.4 | 1 |
11. | Fernando Alonso* | McLaren | +91.4 | |
12. | Valtteri Bottas | Williams | +1 lap | |
13. | Roberto Merhi | Marussia | +1 lap | |
14. | Will Stevens | Marussia | +2 laps | |
15. | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull | DNF | |
16. | Carlos Sainz | Toro Rosso | DNF | |
17. | Romain Grosjean | Lotus | DNF | |
18. | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | DNF | |
19. | Nico Hulkenberg | Force India | DNF | |
20. | Marcus Ericsson | Sauber | DNF |