3rd Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Ends With Lewis Hamilton’s Triumph

The 2018 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix wrapped up on Sunday, with Briton Lewis Hamilton claiming victory after his teammate, Valtteri Botttas, suffered a dramatic tire blow-out shortly before reaching the finish line.

Valtteri Botttas suffered a dramatic tire blow-out shortly before reaching the finish line. / Twitter

“Really (it was) quite an emotional race, to be honest,” Hamilton said while addressing Sunday’s press conference.

“Valtteri did such an exceptional job today and really deserved to have the win. Also, Sebastian [Vettel] did a great job. I think it was really fortunate today so it feels a little bit odd to be up here, but I’ve got to take it.”

A four-time Formula One World Champion, Hamilton secured his first victory this season in Baku. He celebrated Sunday against the backdrop of the drama that hit the Red Bull team, after Daniel Ricciardo drove into the back of his teammate, Max Verstappen. As a result, both pilots were forced to leave the track.

The man widely regarded by current and former drivers, and fans alike, as one of the best drivers in the history of the sport stepped back on Sunday and finished second, scoring 18 points. During the press conference that followed, Räikkönen said it was a difficult race for him, especially after his lap contact with Force India’s Esteban Ocon.

“(It was) a difficult race after that,” Räikkönen said on Sunday.

“Just tried to come back and at certain moments I felt good, but I struggled a bit with the tires to keep them warm enough and not just try to play the long game and to stay there. It paid off, but it wasn’t very easy.”

During the press conference that followed, Räikkönen said it was a difficult race for him, especially after his lap contact with Force India’s Esteban Ocon. / Ferrari

Mexican pilot Sergio Perez, who represents Force India, finished third, after an unforgettable overtaking of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel at the very end of the race.

“I think today I did the two best laps of my whole career," Perez said while addressing Sunday’s press conference.

Mexican pilot Sergio Perez, who represents Force India, finished third, after an unforgettable overtaking of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel at the very end of the race. / Formula One

Perez, age 28, has broken the Mexican record with an eighth career podium on the same circuit in which he scored his seventh top-three finish. His compatriot, Pedro Rodriguez had previously held the record since the 1971 Dutch Grand Prix.

Räikkönen had left behind his teammate, Sebastian Vettel, who finished fourth after trying to overtake Mercedes’ Bottas. As a result, Vettel, the winner of the first two races this season, blocked his own wheels and rolled back to the fourth place.

“The last two laps with Sebastian [Vettel] behind with cold tires were so difficult. I was on supersofts and had to keep a close rhythm to keep close to [Kimi] Raikkonen to make sure Seb didn’t get close enough. I am speechless.”

This year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix formed the fourth race, out of 21 this racing season that will close in Abu Dhabi in November. In its third consecutive year, Azerbaijan Grand Prix has brought together 20 F1 pilots, who will have a chance to regroup before round five of the championship in Spain on May 13.