Hamilton refuerza su liderato en la F1 tras alzarse con el GP de Portugal
El séptuple campeón del mundo inglés Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) reforzó su liderato en el Mundial de F1 tras ganar este domingo el Gran Premio de Portugal, el tercero del certamen, en Portimao; donde los españoles Fernando Alonso (Alpine) y Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) acabaron octavo y undécimo, respectivamente.
Hamilton ganó la carrera por delante del holandés Max Verstappen (Red Bull) -que lo secunda en el campeonato, a ocho puntos de los 69 con los que comanda el inglés- y de su compañero finlandés Valtteri Bottas, que salió desde la ‘pole’ y acabó tercero en la pista del Algarve, en la que marcó la vuelta rápida -en el último de los 66 giros-, justo después de que se la anularan a la joven estrella neerlandesa.
El mexicano Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) fue cuarto este domingo, por delante del inglés Lando Norris (McLaren) y del monegasco Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), que acabó sexto.
El francés Esteban Ocon, el compañero de Alonso en Alpine, fue séptimo, justo por delante del doble campeón mundial asturiano, que salió decimotercero y, tras completar una gran carrera, acabó octavo.
El australiano Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) concluyó noveno en Portimao, un puesto por delante del francés Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri), que sumó un punto que le arrebató justo al final a Sainz, que había salido quinto y acabó undécimo.
El próximo Gran Premio, el de España, se disputará el próximo fin de semana en el circuito de Montmeló (Barcelona). EFE
Hamilton wins Portuguese GP to extend lead atop the standings
Lewis Hamilton has won his 97th Formula 1 race, finishing first at the Portuguese Grand Prix ahead of the Red Bull of Max Verstappen and the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas.
The Englishman started second behind Bottas and ahead of Verstappen, but the Red Bull overtook him at the restart after an early safety car. The top trio spent several laps bunched together, with a few DRS battles, before Hamilton eventually pulled a classy move on Verstappen to speed back into second. Hamilton appeared to have more pace than Bottas and did indeed overtake his teammate on lap 20 to lead the race.
Bottas then lost another position after his pit stop took a second longer than Verstappen’s and after the Finn had a wobble on his new tyres after coming out for his second stint, with the Dutchman capitalising.
Sergio Perez’s Red Bull led the race at one point, but that was because he went longer without pitting, even confusing Hamilton who expected blue flags before being told that he and the Mexican were technically competing for position.
At the end of the race, Bottas and Verstappen had a private battle to try to take the fastest lap, pitting one last time to go onto the quickest tyres possible. Verstappen appeared to have won it, before having his fastest lap cancelled as he went off track limits.
That means Hamilton takes 25 points, Verstappen 18 and Bottas 16.
“That was such a tough race physically and mentally,” Hamilton said afterwards.
“I didn’t get a good start and also lost out at the restart but it was a great result in the end.
“Today wasn’t all perfect and we need to get ready now for the quick turnaround for Spain”