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Mercedes scored a perfect double at the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday and championship leader Lewis Hamilton extended his lead over rival Sebastian Vettel, but no one celebrated the result after a controversial mid-race decision.
Hamilton was second behind teammate Valtteri Bottas, and the four-time champion started the race with a 40-point lead over Vettel, with six races remaining in the season. Bottas kept his lead in the first 24 laps and seemed likely to win his first race of the season unless there was a mechanical breakdown – but Mercedes bosses ordered Bottas to retire and let Hamilton pass. The decision was aimed at protecting Hamilton from Vettel in third place and consolidating his position in the championship, but neither driver was threatened with losing a position for the rest of the race.
Bottas was asked to sacrifice his own results to serve Hamilton's interests several times during the season, but Mercedes' decision to defeat the Finnish driver won outrage on social media. Bottas asked later in the race if he would be allowed to take the lead, but was denied.
Team controls have long been part of Formula 1, and Ferrari has clearly favored Vettel over Kimi Raikkonen in 2018 – but not to that extent. The fans broke down throughout the race on Twitter.
Hamilton won the race ahead of Bottas in second and Vettel in third, increasing his lead in the 50-point standings.
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