Runaway championship leader Lewis Hamilton closed in on yet another title by winning at Imola despite a poor start.
Hamilton dropped from second to third behind Max Verstappen before the first corner, but the combination of a strategy call and the deployment of the virtual safety car put the runaway championship leader in command of the race.
The six-time Formula One world champion sealed victory, with Bottas second after Verstappen’s race was ended by a puncture on lap 52 in a dramatic twist.
Hamilton and Bottas pitted for soft tyres and the Brit, who broke Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 F1 race victories last weekend, saw out another win following a restart with just six laps to complete.
Daniel Ricciardo took third place behind Bottas as Mercedes celebrated yet another title, with Hamlton closing on being crowned champion for a record-equalling seventh time with four races to go.
Daniil Kvyat took fourth spot in a frantic finale, with Charles Leclerc completing the top five in a chaotic first F1 race at the iconic Italian track since 2006.
Pierre Gasly dropped from fourth to fifth and much worse was to come when he was forced to retire on lap eight when his AlphaTauri suffered a drop of water pressure early on.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Drivers
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 282
- Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) – 197
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 162
- Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) – 95
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 85
Constructors
- Mercedes – 479
- Red Bull – 226
- Renault – 135
- McLaren – 134
- Racing Point – 134
