Hamilton scorches to Russian GP win

Lewis Hamilton has strengthened his grip on the drivers' championship following victory at the Russian Grand Prix, with Daniel Ricciardo seventh.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain

Lewis Hamilton has secured pole position in a Mercedes lockout at the Russian Grand Prix. (AAP)

Lewis Hamilton has claimed his fourth win a row with a commanding performance from the front in the inaugural Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.

Watched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the paddock, Hamilton took the chequered flag on Sunday on the 5.872-kilometre Olympic park circuit 13.657 seconds ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

Australia's Daniel Ricciardo, third on the drivers' standings, finished seventh in Russia.

Valtteri Bottas in a Williams was third, followed by McLaren duo Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen, Fernando Alonso in a Ferrari, Red Bull pair Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and Sergio Perez in a Force India.

It was the ninth victory of the season for the Hamilton, who extends his lead to 17 points over Rosberg (four wins) with three races remaining.

The ninth Mercedes one-two of the season also gave the team the constructors' title, its first as a works team, ending four years of domination by Red Bull.

Hamilton was praised by his team over radio for "an awesome drive".

Hamilton replied: "Well done to the team on the constructors' championship, history in the making." Drivers took part in a minute's silence to honour Jules Bianchi who is in a critical condition in hospital after crashing at last Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

The 21 drivers then stood arms in arm around the helmets at the front of the grid where the organisers beamed the message 'Jules, we are all supporting you' in capital letters onto the circuit.

Earlier, the entire Ferrari team sent a message of encouragement to Marussia driver Bianchi, who is a member of Ferrari's young drivers academy.

Having started in pole position, Hamilton stayed comfortably in front for the 29-year-old to earn his 31st career victory, putting him level with fellow Nigel Mansell as Britain's most successful F1 driver and joint sixth overall.

It was also the second time this season that Hamilton has won four races in a row following grands prix two to five at the start of the season.

No driver who has won four successive grands prix in a season has failed to win the championship, but F1's decision to award double points for the winner of the last race has changed the constellation.


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