Motorsport: Lewis Hamilton takes Formula 1 championship lead as Brendon Hartley finishes 14th

Brendon Hartley avoided the drama but ended up 14th at the French Grand Prix. Photo / Getty Images

Formula world champion Lewis Hamilton led from start to finish to win the French Grand Prix and take the championship lead while Kiwi Brendon Hartley finished 14th.

The first race in France in a decade and the first at Circuit Paul Ricard since 1990 featured a dramatic opening lap that allowed the Mercedes of Hamilton to clear out as those behind him got caught up in the drama.

The Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo followed the Brit. Verstappen took a solid second place while the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen jumped Ricciardo late in the race to steal a podium spot.

Hamilton moved 14 points clear at the top of the standings after his 65th career win.
Hartley started off the back of the grid having taken a penalty for engine changes and managed to avoid the drama in front of him on the opening lap.

But the Toro Rosso simply didn't have the pace to take advantage. He stretched his opening stint long in case the rain that threatened to impact the race eventuated but it didn't come.

He fell to last after his pit stop but managed to pass the two Williams of Sergey Sirotkin and Lance Stroll in the closing laps.

"Great work guys. So happy for England as well [in the Football World Cup] - it's a beautiful Sunday. Happy Sunday everyone," a delighted Hamilton said on team radio after the race.

"I feel very grateful; Grateful for a solid weekend. My guys continuously push the boundaries and never give up. This is a great day. I enjoyed the race, for me it's the best French GP I've ever had. I haven't thought about [the championship lead], but that's where I want to be."

A chaotic opening lap saw a couple of different incidents completely change the landscape of the race.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel made a good start but took out the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas at the first corner and saw both drivers limp back to the pits with damage.

The Toro Rosso of Pierre Gasly crashed into the Force India of Esteban Ocon that did significant damage to both cars and forced them out.

Because the field was bunched up other drivers lost spots trying to avoid getting caught up in the incidents.

Hartley leapt to 13th by the end of the first lap thanks largely to the drama ahead of him.

Vettel and Bottas began climbing through the field however having had the benefit of pitting under a safety car and it didn't take long for them to be back among the points. Vettel got a five second time penalty for causing a collision.

Vettel made his way to fifth to limit the damage but he conceded his championship lead to Hamilton.