Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Valtteri Bottas Beats Lewis Hamilton As Mercedes Take One-Two Lead In Baku

Mercedes duo dominated the race from the start with Valtteri Bottas cruising through ahead of Lewis Hamilton to win his second race of the season. 

Saturday, the Finn driver claimed his eighth career pole position at the final qualifying session and retained the performance, keeping Hamilton to trail behind until finish line for the team's fourth one-two race victory in a row. 

Bottas took the first position with a +1.52s lead over the Briton who made attempts catch up with him but was unable and settled for the second place. 

Afterwards, Hamilton congratulated Bottas on winning the race which he said was "truly deserved" and thinks he is now a driver to beat in the title challenge this season. 

On the hands, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc who started in the eighth position - a situation caused by crashing into the wall at the qualifying session - gave the race a good fight and finish in fifth place behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen as Sebastian Vettel took third place. 

In Leclerc reaction to his issues with ageing tyres during the race, he stated that he knew he could not make podium position the moment Bottas, Hamilton and Sebastian sped by him but would not blame not being pitted earlier for the caused. 

In drivers standings, Bottas lead with a point ahead of Hamilton is now second with 86 points following in third position his Vettel with 52 points.