F1: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton wins German GP, increases lead at top

 

HOCKENHEIM (Germany): Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton surged into the lead at the start of the German Grand Prix on Sunday and held on to win the last Formula One race before the summer break. Hamilton was faster off the mark than teammate Nico Rosberg, who started from pole but dropped to fourth before the first corner. Two-time defending champion Hamilton now takes a 19-point lead over Rosberg into the nearly month-long break. Hamilton has won six of the past seven races. Daniel Ricciardo was second, ahead of Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen. Rosberg also picked up a five-second penalty and had to settle for fourth, after winning the Hockenheim race two years ago. Sebastian Vettel finished fifth, ahead of Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen.