Motor racing: Hamilton wins maiden Russian race as Mercedes take F1 constructors' title

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton raises his arm after winning the inaugural Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi on Oct 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton raises his arm after winning the inaugural Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi on Oct 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) hands the constructors title to Mercedes co-team boss Paddy Lowe (centre) and Mercedes' German driver Nico Rosberg on the podium after the inaugural Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi on Oct 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain speeds during the first Russian Grand Prix in Sochi on Oct 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Williams' Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas (left) and McLaren Mercedes' British driver Jenson Button take the first corner during the inaugural Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi on Oct 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany leads next to Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (right) after the start of the first Russian Grand Prix in Sochi Oct 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin waves from the podium after the inaugural Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi on Oct 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Second placed Mercedes' German driver Nico Rosberg (right), Mercedes co-team boss Paddy Lowe (centre) and winner Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton spray champagne on the podium after the inaugural Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi on Oct 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (centre) celebrates on the podium after winning the inaugural Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi on Oct 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

SOCHI (REUTERS) - Lewis Hamilton won the inaugural Russian Formula One Grand Prix and extended his championship lead on Sunday in a Mercedes one-two that clinched the team's first constructors' title.

The Briton, who started on pole position, chalked up his fourth win in a row and ninth of the season to forge 17 points clear of German team-mate Nico Rosberg with 100 still to be won.

Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, also became only the fourth driver in F1 history to win nine races in a single season.

Finland's Valtteri Bottas finished third for Williams in a race watched by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a circuit snaking around some of the landmark venues from this year's Winter Olympics.

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