LONDON — Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton overtook main rival Max Verstappen and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas to win the Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday and go eight points clear in the Formula One standings.
Red Bull’s Verstappen finished second at the Algarve circuit with Bottas third after starting on pole position. The disappointed Finn’s only consolation was a bonus point for fastest lap.
The victory was a record-extending 97th of Hamilton’s career, with the sport’s most successful driver repeating last year’s win at the circuit to go 2-1 up on Verstappen after three races.
“That was such a tough race, physically and mentally, just keeping everything together. It was very windy out there so it was very easy to put a foot wrong,” said the Briton, who started on the front row.
“I just didn’t quite get as good a start as Valtteri and then lost out on the restart, which was not good. I was not happy about that.”
The safety car was deployed on lap two after the Alfa Romeos of Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi made contact, with debris left on the track and the field streaming through the pitlane.
When racing resumed, Verstappen was quick to pounce and pass Hamilton for second place, but the Briton seized it back five laps later after the Red Bull driver made a small mistake.
“I tried to put the pressure on Valtteri. But in the end, I think we just lacked a little pace overall so Lewis got by again,” said the Dutch driver.
Hamilton swept past Bottas on lap 20 of 66 and took the checkered flag 29.148 seconds clear of Verstappen after the Dutch driver had pitted in a late bid for fastest lap on fresh, soft tires.
“I had to make the move early on before the tires were destroyed and managed to just get him in Turn One,” said Hamilton of the key overtake before his only pitstop. “Right on the limit, but great race.”
Hamilton now has 69 points to Verstappen’s 61, with Mercedes 18 points clear of Red Bull in the constructors’ standings. — Reuters
