LEWIS HAMILTON opened up a 17 point gap at the top of the drivers’ championship after coasting to victory in the Spanish GP.
The defending world champion came under little pressure throughout as he finished a whopping 20.5 seconds ahead of his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
The Brit, who could not hide his delight at securing pole the previous day, knowing full well just how important it was that he started at the front.
Hamilton, who has now won 64 races in his Formula One career, was assisted by Ferrari’s bizarre decision to pit Sebastian Vettel for fresh tyres on lap 42.
He said: “It was an incredible job. I felt that synergy for the first time this year. I hope it can continue.”
The 33-year-old was well clear of a chaotic first lap, as Roman Grosjean made a calamitous error.
The Haas driver lost control and then kept his foot planted on the accelerator and slammed back into the pack of cars, wiping out Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg.
The smash sent splinters of carbon fibre across the track as the safety car was deployed for six laps while the stewards tidied up.
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At the restart, Hamilton held off Vettel, who had leapfrogged Bottas at the start.
But the Ferrari man found himself demoted to fourth place when he pitted on lap 42 when the virtual safety car was deployed as Esteban Ocon retired at Turn Four.
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The gamble backfired for Ferrari as he was unable to use the benefit of fresh tyres as Bottas held on to come home in second.
Max Verstappen nursed his Red Bull to third place, despite clattering into Lance Stroll at one point.
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