F1 Russian Grand Prix build-up LIVE: Norris leads Hamilton in dramatic end to race as track slippery with rain
LEWIS HAMILTON has won a thrilling Russian Grand Prix in a crazy, rain-soaked finale.
The track had been dry for the best part of 48 laps but rain drenched the track in the last five laps.
Stubborn leader Lando Norris insisted on staying on the track, but his tyres could not handle the slippery tarmac.
Hamilton, who pitted for new tyres, took advantage and reeled his fellow Brit in in no time, as Norris slid off the track for an easy overtake for the champ.
And it resulted in 100 GRAND PRIX WINS for Hamilton, a stunning achievement in his trophy-laden career.
Max Verstappen did an outstanding job as well, coming from the back of the field to surge into second on the last lap, thanks in part to Norris' blunder.
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HAMILTON'S GAP TO NORRIS IS FOUR SECONDS
Hamilton passes a Leclerc with ease as the Ferrari's tyres were dead.
Leclerc was straight into the pits after the Mercedes powered past him.
20 LAPS REMAINING
Hamilton has plenty of time to lure in Norris, as he is eight seconds away from his fellow Brit.
It has been predicted, Hamilton will be challenging Norris in FIVE LAPS.
TOTO PEP TALK - 30/53
As he overtakes Sainz for sixth place, Wolff says "Lewis you can win this race."
Hamilton responds by swiftly passing Gasly as he moves to fifth.
Hamilton has put in a fastest lap as Norris is just down the road.
BOTTAS HAS A SWIFT STOP
The Finn was in and out of the pits like a flash as he rejoins the track in 16th as he aims for fifth place finish.
NORRIS PITS
It was a smooth stop from the race leader, as there's huge relief in McLaren garage after a slow stop for Ricciardo's car earlier in the race.
SAINZ IS RAGING
Ferrari say:" "We are looking at a P5 finish."
Sainz hits back: "Only P5?! ****"
As a reminder he started in P2 and led the race on the opening lap.
HAMILTON AND VERSTAPPEN PIT
Hamilton would have a three second gap to Ricciardo if he was to pit.
As I say that, he's pitted and it was a fast stop for the Brit.
Verstappen followed him in the pits and as Hamilton exited his pit box, Verstappen swooped in for a fresh set of tyres, with the Red Bull stop being slightly slower.
VERSTAPPEN IS GETTING FRUSTRATED
He said: "Now that Lewis is just pulling away while a few laps ago we were super close."
"There's not much space behind you," his engineer says as there isn't a gap in the field.
HAMILTON SETS FASTEST LAP OF THE RACE
The Brit has got his head down and set the fastest lap of the race after being released by Ricciardo's stop.
VERSTAPPEN - 'I CAN'T TURN THE CAR'
The Dutchman tells his engineer his hard tyres are wilting away as he's still stuck behind Alonso, who isn't going to make things easy.
RACE TAKES ANOTHER TURN - LAP 24/53
Hamilton now has plenty of clean air and space ahead of him.
Verstappen is stuck in traffic and Hamilton can now make up some ground on Norris, who also hasn't pitted.
RICCIARDO PITS - HAMILTON STAYS OUT
It's an awfully slow stopped, seemed to be sat still for an age.
Mercedes mechanics came sprinting out with tyres, but appeared to have gone out with the intention of doing the opposite to McLaren.
RAIN IN THE PIT LANE
Sky F1 pundit Karun Chandhok: "It's drizzling in the pit lane."
VERSTAPPEN CLOSES IN ON ALONSO
Verstappen is within DRS of Alonso as he continues his tremendous march from the back of the grid.
TOP SIX - LAP 21/53
- Norris
- Ricciardo
- Hamilton
- Perez
- Alonso
- Verstappen
HAMILTON TAKES THINGS INTO HIS OWN HANDS
Hamilton says "Get ready to undercut him."
This comes after the race has not worked out how they'd have hoped.
RAIN FALLING IN THE DISTANCE
Sky F1 commentator David Croft said: "You can barely see some of the hills now such is the rain that is surrounding the circuit."
HAMILTON MUST PASS THE MCLARENS
It's proving to be a tough task, but with Verstappen flying through the midfield, the Brit must pick things up.
RED BULL ON THE CHARGE - LAP 17/53
Verstappen is a second a lap faster than the cars around him as he takes 1.2 seconds out of Hamilton.
Will the two be battling out on track again?
Verstappen puts in two fastest laps in a row as he says his tyres are 'dead'... the mind games are well and truly underway.
HAMILTON AND NORRIS COULD BE VULNERABLE - LAP 15/53
As the field pits, the two are yet to switch their tyres.
The thinking could be, the tyres could pick up a second wind while their rivals could lose grip after an initial burst of pace.
We could see one-stop strategy vs two-stop strategy... we will see who comes out on top.
STROLL UNDERCUTS RUSSELL
Russell comes out behind Stroll, as the undercut appears to be very affective in Sochi.
VERSTAPPEN UP TO 10TH FROM LAST PLACE
Verstappen overtakes Vettel and Russell has also pitted so he temporarily up to ninth.
NORRIS TAKES THE LEAD OF THE RACE!!!
On lap 13 he overtakes his former teammate.
Despite his tyres wearing away he uses DRS to go down the inside of Sainz.