Hamilton wins Russian GP controversially

SOCHI, Russia (AP):

Lewis Hamilton won the Russian Grand Prix and closed in on his fifth Formula One title, but he is not happy.

Victory was handed to Hamilton by his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, who pulled over to let him through on orders from the team.

"It's never, ever in my whole life been the way that I wanted to win a race," said Hamilton, who said Mercedes overrode his objections to the switch. Passing Bottas "did not feel good."

Hamilton cruised to victory after the switch and now leads Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel by 50 points in the standings as both chase their fifth title. Even if Vettel wins all five remaining races, he is no longer guaranteed to beat Hamilton.

Hamilton held off a challenge from Vettel at the start and overtook him after the German briefly got ahead at the pit stops, but by lap 25, he was again under serious pressure from Vettel.

Soon the call came through.

"You need to let Lewis by into turn 13 this lap," was the team's message to Bottas, who could have taken his first win this year. Seconds later, the Finn eased over to the side of the track.

"I assured Valtteri it's not something I asked for, but it's what the team feels is right to do. It's a very awkward position to be in," Hamilton said. "There are not many teammates who would do something like that."

It was Hamilton's fifth win in six races and Mercedes' third one-two finish this year.