It was Lewis Hamilton’s 54th podium. And it was also Sebastian Vettel’s 54th too. But despite starting from pole position for the fourth time in four races, Lewis Hamilton could not convert it into a race win. Sebastian Vettel dominated and quickly passed Lewis Hamilton, extending his lead lap after lap. And to send shivers to the rest of the grid, Vettel was asked by his team to slow down for the rest of the grand prix after the third lap.

With his relaxed pace, Vettel cruised to victory, nearly 17 seconds ahead of a frustrated Fernando Alonso and almost 28 seconds ahead of a contended Lewis Hamilton. Vettel has been the better driver than his teammate Webber – whose birthday it is today – in ten of 11 races so far this season. Hamilton has been finished higher than his teammate Nico Rosberg in eight of 11 races.

Hamilton is putting up a fight with Vettel and now has 56 front row starts to his name – the same number as Sebastian Vettel and fellow Brit Nigel Mansell. Hamilton has eight races to go to do the impossible – or concede defeat to Vettel, who is racing toward his fourth Formula One World Drivers’ Championship title.

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