Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton victorious in Azerbaijan

By Huseyin Burak Demirer

ANKARA (AA) - Mercedes team's British driver Lewis Hamilton won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday evening.

The race was held on a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) long track -- Baku City Circuit -- in capital Baku over 51 laps.

In the 49th lap, Hamilton took the lead after his teammate Valtteri Bottas faced a blowout tyre.

Leaving the other title contender -- Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen -- 2.4 seconds behind him, Hamilton claimed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and Raikkonen emerged as the runner-up.

Hamilton bagged his first win of this season; he previously won 62 Grand Prix titles in his career.

Meanwhile, Force India driver Sergio Perez came in third.

The win in Baku has helped Hamilton claim the top spot in 2018 driver standings with 70 points.

Hamilton was followed by two Ferrari drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Raikkonen.

Vettel has 66 points and Raikkonen has collected 48 points, so far.

The fifth race of this season -- Spanish Grand Prix -- will be held on May 13.

- Azerbaijan Grand Prix top 10 drivers:

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

3. Sergio Perez (Force India-Mercedes)

4. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

5. Carlos Sainz (Renault)

6. Charles Leclerc (Alfa Romeo Sauber)

7. Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Renault)

8. Lance Stroll (Williams-Mercedes)

9. Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren-Renault)

10. Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso-Honda)


- Driver Standings:

1. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain): 70 points

2. Sebastian Vettel (Germany): 66

3. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland): 48

4. Valtteri Bottas (Finland): 40

5. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia): 37


- Constructor Standings:

1. Ferrari: 114 points

2. Mercedes: 110

3. Red Bull: 55

4. McLaren: 36

5. Renault: 35