F1: Lewis Hamilton wins Spanish GP to stay in title race

Three-time British racer Lewis steals stunning Spanish GP victory from Ferrari-s Sebastien Vettel to cut down title race with German to six points

British racer Lewis Hamilton centre celebrates with the trophy after winning the Spanish Grand Prix as Ferrari driver Sebastien Vettel left and Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo applaud at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on the outskirts of Barcelona yesterday. Pic/AFP

Lewis Hamilton roared back into serious contention for a fourth drivers- world title yesterday when he drove to a well-judged victory for Mercedes in a dramatic Spanish Grand Prix.

The three-time champion recovered after losing the lead from his 64th pole position to make the most of key strategic decisions and win with power and precision ahead of championship leader Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari and Australia-s Daniel Ricciardo, who was third.

Hamilton finished the 66-lap contest 3.5 seconds ahead of the four-time champion German, having blasted past him to regain the lead after 44 laps. It was his second win in five races this year and the 55th of his career and it brought him within six points of Vettel in the title race. The German now has 104 points and Hamilton has 98.

"That is how racing should be. Seb was really fast! My start was not good enough. I got a bit of wheel-spin and I will have to talk to my guys about that, but the team did a great job this weekend," said a delighted Hamilton.

After being edged into second place during a contest that delighted the crowd in Catalonia, Vettel said: "I was pushing. I had a really good start. Lewis and myself picked up wheel-spin straight away. I pulled the clutch in and could gain on him. I stayed ahead and then got into a nice rhythm. Lewis was fast, too."

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