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IMOLA: Lewis Hamilton took a record-extending 93rd career win at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday as his Mercedes team clinched an unprecedented seventh successive Formula One constructors’ title with four races to spare.
They did it in one-two formation, the six-time world champion taking the chequered flag at Italy’s Imola circuit 5.783 seconds ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who had started on pole position.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo finished third for Renault, his second podium of the season, ahead of Daniil Kvyat of Alpha Tauri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton also banked a bonus point for the fastest lap to extend his lead over Bottas — now the only other driver in title contention — to a hefty 85 points.
The Briton, who had dropped to third on the opening lap after a poor start, could now equal Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s record seven titles in two weeks’ time at the Turkish Grand Prix.
Hamilton started from second on the grid and was overtaken by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who span off track 11 laps from the end after his rear right tire blew, bringing out the safety car and prompting drivers to change to quicker tyres.
Hamilton had missed the first pit window and came in after the other drivers, but his lead was sufficient enough and he came back out about two seconds ahead of Bottas.
The safety car remained on the track following another crash as George Russell lost control and slammed into the track barriers. He was unharmed but upset at his own error while behind a safety car, as he sat on the grass and slapped himself several times on the leg in frustration.
This gave Bottas a chance to pressure Hamilton with six laps left, but Hamilton got away cleanly after the re-start and clocked fastest laps on his way to another comfortable win.
Sergio Perez was sixth for Racing Point, Carlos Sainz finished seventh ahead of his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris and the two Alfa Romeos of Kimi Raikkonen, in his 325th Grand Prix race, and Antonio Giovinazzi.