Emilia Romagna GP: Lewis Hamilton Wins As Mercedes Becomes Constructors' Champions

Lewis Hamilton clinched Imola's final race victory over Valterri Bottas for his 93rd race win in Mercedes one-two finish as Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo secured his career fourth podium appearance. 

Apparently, it turned out to be Mercedes' seventh consecutive constructors' championship title after scoring 460 points to take the lead over the nearest team Red Bull that followed with 245 points. 

Hamilton started the race in P2 behind Bottas and was overtaken by Max Verstappen from the start. The defending champion raced behind the pair until Lap31 when he took the lead and controlled the race through the remaining laps. 

Sergio Perez, Charles Leclerc, and Daniil Kvyat fiercely contested with Ricciardo for a podium finish but the Australian raced on behind Bottas to clinch his second podium appearance for Renault since Eifel Grand Prix.

"It was a bizarre one," said Ricciardo. "I got into fourth from the start and thought that was the best we could do, with the three [Hamilton Bottas, and Max Verstappen] in front."

Ricciardo added, "I'm not sure what happened to Max, but that put us in the fight. It's difficult for overtaking here but the circuit itself was awesome."

Kvyat finished fourth ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc whose teammate Sebastian Vettel finished below the top 10 in the 12th position. Racing Point's Sergio Perez finished sixth. 

Verstappen dropped out of the race after suffering tire failure. Before the shock exit, the Red Bull driver had an impressive start into the race and was able to not just overtake Hamilton from the start but was reeled in Bottas to be second behind Hamilton.

Renault's Estaban Ocon lasted until Lap28 when dropped out of the race over engine failure after smoke was gushing off his car and deployed virtual car safety. Williams' George Russell also dropped out after running into the barrier over brake failure in Lap52. 

"I don't know what to say," said Russell on deploying the safety car after the incident. "Sorry about that, the brakes were really cold."