10 Big Moments From The Russian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton took another dominant victory, claiming his 42nd career win (his ninth win of the 2015 season) at the Sochi Autodrom in Russia. Sebastian Vettel crossed the line in second place, while Sergio Perez surprised us all with third place.

Here were the biggest moments of a great race:

1. Lap one contact

The heavy braking zone and tight Turn 2 chicane proved too much for Nico Hulkenberg who lost control of his car, before smacking into Max Verstappen who then slammed into Marcus Ericsson. #Awkward.

2. Hamilton keeps smashing it

Nico Rosberg started from pole position but soon started complaining about a throttle problem. He ran wide on lap nine and lost the lead to Hamilton, but quickly dropped back and eventually had to retire. Title hopes = shattered.

3. Grosjean's car bursts into a million pieces

Romain Grosjean lost the rear of his car through Turn 3 on lap 12 and hit the wall hard. You can see the video of the big hit here.

4. Such a joker

Fernando Alonso was told by McLaren that he was “racing Massa to the end”. He clearly didn’t think that was possible, responding: “I love your sense of humour”. Trying to stay optimistic, eh?

5. Finn vs Finn: part one

Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen battled like hell during the race, but in the end, it all ended in tears…

6. Brakes on fire

Carlos Sainz Jr was allowed to race at Sochi after passing FIA medical tests on Sunday morning. He suffered a big crash in Saturday’s FP3 and was airlifted to hospital, but was discharged later in the day.

He started 20th but made good progress and looked on course for a well-deserved point or two, until his left-front brake failed. The Spaniard span twice in the space of a lap before eventually retiring.

7. Brave marshal

"We’ve got a very brave Russian running across the track,” were Vettel’s words after a marshal ran onto the circuit to clear debris from Sainz Jr’s car. That was pretty close!

8. Finn vs Finn: part two

Bottas and Raikkonen’s battle continued and they found themselves scrapping over third place on the final lap. The Ferrari attempted a lunge into Turn 4 but it was too late and contact was made.

The Williams span into the barrier, while Raikkonen limped across the finish line in fifth place with sparks flying from his damaged car.

9. Hamilton victorious

The championship leader extended his advantage, edging closer to a third title. Vettel closed to within six seconds of the Mercedes and claimed the runner-up spot, with Perez claiming back third.

10. Mercedes takes the championship

The stewards investigated the Raikkonen/Bottas debacle and decided the former was at fault, giving the 2007 champion a 30-second time penalty, which dropped him to eighth place.

The change in the result meant that Mercedes has clinched the constructors’ title for a second consecutive season, having needed to out-score Ferrari by three points on Sunday.