Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton of Britain won the French Grand Prix from pole position to retake the overall lead from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.
Back in France after a decade, the race started dramatically with Vettel handed a five-second penalty for colliding with the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas on the opening lap.
The incident dropped both to the back of the field after pit stops.
Vettel was a point clear of Hamilton going into the first French race in a decade.
Hamilton started cleanly from pole position and led as the safety car was deployed for four laps..
Other collisions on a chaotic first lap saw two of the three French drivers retire, with Force India’s Esteban Ocon and Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly the unlucky casualties.
Stewards announced an immediate investigation into the collision between Bottas and Vettel…
Video replays showed the German had locked up and hit the rear of the Finn’s car as they jostled for position.
Bottas returned to the pits for a new front wing while Bottas limped back on three wheels and a rim with a flailing tyre.
Hamilton comfortably finished first for the first time since Spain after leading from start to finish…
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen came in second place with Kimmi Raikkonen completing the podium in third third place.
Daniel Ricciardo finished in fourth place with Vettel in fifth place. Hamilton now leads Vettel by 14 points after eight of 21 races.
