MX23RW : Friday, June 29 17:04:55

Result: Lewis Hamilton regains Formula 1 championship lead with French Grand Prix victory

Lewis Hamilton retakes the Formula 1 world championship lead with victory at the French Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton has returned to the top of the Formula 1 world championship table thanks to victory at the French Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Mercedes driver remained calm and composed en route to a comfortable win in the first French GP for a decade, finishing ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Deposed championship leader Sebastian Vettel, meanwhile, endured a nightmare race as he crashed into the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas at the first corner.

Despite falling to the rear of the field after the stewards imposed a five-second timed penalty, Vettel was able to recover and finish fifth, but it was not enough to preserve his championship lead.

Verstappen ran wide at the first corner, taking avoiding action to dodge the crash between Vettel and Bottas, but was unable to find sufficient pace to threaten the faultless Hamilton.

Raikkonen, meanwhile, overtook Daniel Ricciardo on the closing laps to clinch a podium finish, the Australian's Red Bull suffering damage due to debris and falling prey to the Finn's surge.

Alongside the collision between Vettel and Bottas, there was also a crash on the second corner between Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly and Force India's Esteban Ocon which took both competitors out.

French GP standings

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
4. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
5. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
6. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
7. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
8. Carlos Sainz (Renault)
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
10. Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
11. Romain Grosjean (Haas)
12. Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)
13. Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
14. Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
15. Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
16. Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
17. Lance Stroll (Williams)
DNF Sergio Perez (Force India)
DNF Esteban Ocon (Force India)
DNF Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)

Share this article now:
Spanish GP 2014
Read Next:
Leclerc-Raikkonen rumours heat up in France
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
 CLOSE