Sebastian Vettel led for much of the race, but Hamilton won the incident-packed race in Azerbaijan to take over the championship lead.
BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Lewis Hamilton won an incident-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sunday to take over the championship lead.
Sebastian Vettel led for much of the race, but was stuck in second behind Hamilton's Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas when a crash between the two Red Bulls brought out the safety car.
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen claimed second place after having dropped to 14th following an early collision. Sergio Perez held off Vettel for third to claim Force India's first podium since 2016.
The drama continued at the next turn, where Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen's aggressive lunge at Force India's Esteban Ocon plunged Ocon into the wall and out of the race. Raikkonen needed a new nose and dropped to 14th.
1. Lewis Hamilton, Britain, Mercedes, 51 laps, 1:43:44.291.
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Ferrari, 51, +2.460 seconds behind.
3. Sergio Perez, Mexico, Force India Mercedes, 51, +4.024.
4. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 51, +5.329.
5. Carlos Sainz, Spain, Renault, 51, +7.515.
6. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Sauber Ferrari, 51, +9.158.
7. Fernando Alonso, Spain, McLaren Renault, 51, +10.931.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 51, +12.546.
9. Stoffel Vandoorne, Belgium, McLaren Renault, 51, +14.152.
10. Brendon Hartley, New Zealand, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 51, +18.030.
11. Marcus Ericsson, Sweden, Sauber Ferrari, 51, +18.512.
12. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 51, +24.720.
13. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 51, +30.663.
14. Valtteri Bottas, Fnland, Mercedes, 48, did not finish.