French Grand Prix – Hamilton takes an easy win in Mercedes 1-2 finish

Lewis Hamilton went from pole to winner in an easy outing for Mercedes at the 2019 French Grand Prix, with Bottas finishing second and Leclerc was third.

Lewis Hamilton put himself in pole position for today’s French Grand Prix, taking the initiative from team mate Bottas – who has looked quicker until qualifying – and scoring yet another pole and a Mercedes front row in the process.

And, with a few ups and downs for Bottas along the way, that’s how it finished, with Hamilton cruising to what seemed an easy win and Bottas, apart from being pushed by Leclerc in the final lap, finished in second. Although not exactly on Hamilton’s tail.

Hamilton looked to be taking things easy at the start of the race, but as the firts pit stop loomed he upped the pace and, by the time Bottas stopped for tyres, Hamilton was five seconds ahead, and by the time he pitted and rejoined he was 11 seconds in front.

Behind the top three Max Verstappen split the Ferraris by taking fourth place, ahead of Sebastian Vettel, Sainz gave McLaren a decent result with a sixth place finish, Ricciardo brought his Renault home in seventh, Raikkonen in the Alfa was eighth, Hulkenberg in the second Renault ninth and Norris in the McLaren took the last points place.

It was an imposing display by Mercedes – and especially Hamilton – although it wasn’t the most exciting race you’ll ever see.

Barring something miraculous from Ferrari or Red Bull – or even McLaren or Renault – in the coming weeks, expect more rather soporific races and another Mercedes whitewash for 2019.