Relentless Hamilton wins French GP to extend Mercedes' unbeaten run to 10

Lewis Hamilton extended his championship le and continued his relentless run of success when he scorched to an emphatic victory ahe of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas at French Grand Prix on Sunday.

defending five-time champion repeated his pole-to-flag triumph of 2018 with a flawless drive to his fourth win in succession, sixth this season and 79th of his career.

His victory extended Mercedes' unbeaten start to 2019 season to eight races and ir overall winning streak to 10, Silver Arrows leaving ir main rivals trailing in ir wake again.

After eight of this season's 21 races, Hamilton les championship with 187 points ahe of Bottas on 151.

"It's definitely been a really good weekend," said Briton. "It's such a challenge out re and I live that, really trying to find edge." 

"I couldn't do it without this incredible team and we are creating history -- and I am so proud to be part of it," Hamilton reflected.

In sweltering conditions, he extended his title race le over Bottas to 36 points -- with Charles Leclerc finishing a strong third following a determined drive in his Ferrari.

Bottas, who resisted a late charge from Leclerc, said: "Ultimately, Lewis was quicker today and I couldn't match his pace." 

Leclerc said: "I gave it everything, but Mercedes are just too quick." 

- Resurgent McLaren -

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Max Verstappen was fourth for Red Bull ahe of four-time champion Sebastian Vettel in second Ferrari and resurgent McLaren of Carlos Sainz.

Vettel, who started seventh after a troubled qualifying, took a late pit stop for fresh tyres and snatched fastest lap and a track record by 0.024 seconds from Hamilton in final seconds.

Daniel Ricciardo was seventh for Renault ahe of Kimi Raikkonen of Alfa Romeo and Nico Hulkenberg in second Renault with Lando rris finishing 10th despite hydraulics problems in second McLaren.

race began with a track temperature of 57 degrees Celsius and an air temperature of 30, sizzling conditions that ensured a difficult afteron for tyre-wear.

Hamilton me a smooth start with Bottas and Leclerc following him on opening lap, Englishman soon opening up a gap of more than a second, by end of lap one, and 1.5 by lap three.

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On lap six, Vettel finally passed rris for sixth. British rookie responded at Signes, but Vettel resisted while Hamilton, at front, reeled off ar fastest lap.

Vettel continued his progress, passing Sainz into chicane on lap seven for fifth, 18 seconds rift of leer, but back in main scrap behind him.

By lap 12, Hamilton was 2.5 seconds clear of Bottas, but Finn responded with a fastest lap of his own.

Ricciardo was first man to pit after 15 laps, sparking a sequence of reactions that saw his direct rivals respond, all switching to 'hard' compound tyres.

After leing cars h pitted Hamilton h pulled clear by 12 seconds reeling off fastest laps.

If outcome looked inevitable, it seemed so to Leclerc as well. When Ferrari asked him if he could push more, he replied: "I could, but it t good for tyres. So, ..." 

Like spectators, he may have been aware that since Le Castellet rejoined calendar, Mercedes have topped every session and won both races. 

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