Valtteri Bottas holds off Lewis Hamilton to win Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The Finn makes it four wins out of four for Mercedes in 2019

epa07534315 Finnish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes AMG GP in action during the 2019 Formula One Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at the Baku City Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan, 28 April 2019.  EPA/ZURAB KURTSIKIDZE
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Valtteri Bottas maintained his strong start to the Formula One season as he won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to retake the lead in the drivers' championship from teammate Lewis Hamilton.

The Finn prevailed for the second time this year, having won in Australia in March, and the result gave Mercedes their fourth successive one-two finish of the season.

Bottas converted pole into the lead at the start and was only headed during the pit stops as he controlled the race in Baku.

The result made up for him missing out on victory 12 months ago when a puncture wrecked his race.

Hamilton pushed him hard but was unable to find a way through.

Sebastian Vettel was third for Ferrari, ahead of Max Verstappen's Red Bull Racing car.

Charles Leclerc, who had started eighth after crashing in qualifying, ran at the front during the pit stops in his Ferrari, but had to be happy with fifth.

Sergio Perez's Racing Point was sixth, with the McLarens of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris were seventh and eighth.

The next race is in Spain on May 12.