Mercedes takes the World Championship title at the 2014 Russian Grand Prix

Unlike last weekend in rainy Suzuka, the race in Sochi, Russia, was under a good star. Nevertheless, the driver Jules Bianchi, who had an accident at the last race and was still in hospital in Japam, was commemorated with an official minute's silence, how solidary!

First setback for Rosberg
The lights went out and Hamilton was able to pull away from all the other drivers in front, only Rosberg stayed on the Brit and was also able to overtake him because he simply stayed on the gas longer. Result of the action: He overtook Hamilton before the first corner, but had to stand full on the blocks - tire smoke - and save himself into the run-off zone to still make it onto the track. However, he quickly had to give up the short lead to avoid being whistled back by the race stewards, and soon lined up again dutifully behind Hamilton. Overall, a clean start with many overtaking maneuvers but enough space. which helped to avoid an accident - the designers of the track can be compliemnt once here. Alonso was able to move up from 7th on the grid to 5th, while Räikkönen dropped back to 10th.

After the German's starting action had failed, Rosberg reached into his strategy box of tricks and immediately pitted on lap 2 to drive through to the end of the race on the hard tires.

Exciting fight for 6th place
The track really impressed on this race Sunday. Unusually exciting driver duels, especially in the long corners, were sure to thrill. The drivers from Red Bull and Toro Rosso in particular put up a fierce fight for 6th place: 6 Vergne - 7 Vettel - 8 Ricciardo - 9 Kvyat.

An exciting race with great dynamics and fascinating perspectives was sure to thrill. The group of 4 around 6th place was soon broken up by Räikkönen when he overtook the Russian driver Daniil Kvyat and relegated him to 10th place. Unfortunately, the young Russian couldn't quite live up to the expectations from qualifying.

Hamilton had a free run and was able to pull away and also wanted to build up a corresponding lead so that he would have sufficient time reserves at his pit stop. In contrast, other drivers were stuck in the field: Ricciardo complained that he was losing a lot of time because he couldn't get past Vettel, even though the latter was slower. Fight for 6th place: 6 Vettel - 7 Ricciardo - 8 Vergne - 9 Raikkonen - 10 Kvyat. Perhaps this was also the reason why Ricciardo soon pitted to change to the hard tires.

Meanwhile, the field of drivers was far apart and everything went quietly ahead, the positions were bezpgen. Lewis Hamilton's pit stop on lap 28 was completed with a lead of around 42 seconds, it was clear that he remained at the head of the field. Alonso was all the more unlucky with his pit stop two laps earlier: his standing time was 7.4 seconds, which catapulted him behind Magnussen. On lap 31, Vettel, who was now running in second position, pitted and came out in eighth place. To his great surprise, a short time later Rosberg overtook the strongly driving Bottas on his Williams.

To the surprise of the spectators, Russian President Vladimir Putin suddenly appeared, accompanied by Bernie Ecclestone. Together with Jean Todt, President of the FIA, and other important personalities, he took his seat in the grandstand to watch the end of the race live.

This now also proceeded in "calm" channels - the positions were fixed - and Hamilton curved onto the home straight on lap 53 to celebrate his 31st Formula 1 victory and the first World Championship title for Mercedes.