Seven-time defending Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton overcame both the rain and McLaren’s Lando Norris questionable decision-making process to claim his 100th career Formula 1 victory. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen moved all the way from last place on the grid to finish a distant second, followed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Jr. in the third and final podium position.
Norris began the race on pole position and appeared to be headed to a victory after leading most of the race’s first 46 laps while Hamilton gradually moved up from his initial starting position of fourth to close to within two seconds of Norris by Lap 47 – but then a passing rainstorm hit the track and chaos ensued. Both Norris and Hamilton seemed determined to finish out the race on their non-rain tires but after the rain did not give an indication of ceasing, Hamilton finally threw in the towel on Lap 49 of the 53-lap race and pitted for rain tires. Norris, however, chose to stay out another lap – and it cost him both the lead and a potential podium finish – as he was unable to get much traction on the track before finally being forced to pit on the next lap and dropping to seventh place [although he may drop further due to incurring a penalty for crossing the pit entry line].
Meanwhile, Verstappen was one of the many drivers who chose to pit early when the rain hit and he was able to take advantage of drivers ahead of him going into the pit on the last laps and allowing him to move up from seventh all the way to second place ahead of Sainz, Jr.
With the victory, Hamilton re-takes the 2021 F1 driver’s championship lead from Verstappen – by two points.
2021 Russian Grand Prix Top 10 Finishers
1] Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2] Max Verstappen Red Bull
3] Carlos Sainz Jr. Ferrari
4] Daniel Ricciardo McLaren
5] Valtteri Bottas Mercedes
6] Fernando Alonso Alpine
7] Lando Norris McLaren
8] Kimi Räikkönen Alfa Romeo
9] Sergio Pérez Red Bull
10] George Russell Williams