Sochi (Russia) (AFP)

"Looonnngtemps" he expected: already record holder of victories in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) won thanks to the rain a 100th historic success in the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday and regained the championship lead by two points.

“Getting to 100 wins took + looonnngtemps +. I wasn't even sure that would come,” reacted hot the seven-time world champion, who hadn't won for five GPs.

F1: Lewis Hamilton, first driver to 100 wins Kenan AUGEARD AFP

Only fourth on the starting grid after two unusual mistakes in qualifying, the rest was not "easier" for him.

"I lost a lot of ground at the start trying to avoid problems," said the man who fell to seventh at the end of the first lap.

There followed a comeback to the front of the race, owned first by Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari), second on the grid, then by British poleman Lando Norris (McLaren).

British driver Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), during the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, September 26, 2021 at the Sochi circuit Alexander NEMENOV AFP

If the weather had remained dry at the Sochi Autodrome, "it would not have been easy to overtake Lando who had a great pace," admits Hamilton.

- "The rain came at the right time" -

But as often in his career (like the 2018 German GP or the Hungarian GP qualifying the same year), "the rain came at the right time", in the last laps, to change the situation.

Mercedes called him back to the pits to put on intermediate tires.

Norris and McLaren stayed on the track believing it would only fall a few drops.

It was ultimately a lot more.

British driver Lando Norris (McLaren) in front of his compatriot Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), during the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, September 26, 2021 at the Sochi circuit Alexander NEMENOV AFP

"The team made the right strategic choice," said Hamilton, when Norris, only seventh, said he was "heartbroken" for missing out on his first F1 success the day after his first pole.

"From one turn to the next, everything changed and we did not anticipate it", can only deplore the young Briton.

Others besides Hamilton did and also pocketed the dividends.

Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), second, and Carlos Sainz Jr, third, also "made the right choice at the right time", in the latter's words.

Other mid-tire lottery winners include Australian Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren), fourth, Finland's Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), fifth, and compatriot Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo), eighth for his comeback after two GPs. absence due to Covid-19.

The French Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri), thirteenth, Esteban Ocon (Alpine), fourteenth, or even the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), fifteenth, on the contrary lost big.

- "It's 50-50" -

For Verstappen, who started twentieth and last on the grid following an engine change penalty, this "unexpected" podium was "very, very good", even if it gave Hamilton first place in the drivers' standings.

"It was not easy to overtake during the race and the rain allowed us to make this last forward jump," said the Red Bull driver.

Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull), during the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, September 26, 2021 at the Sochi circuit Alexander NEMENOV AFP

At the mark of two thirds of the season (15 GP contested out of 22), the duel between the two men is still as exciting;

on the track, after two clashes, and off, where psychological games are now required.

One is aiming for a record eighth crown, the other the first coronation that has been promised to him since his debut in F1 in 2015, and neither of the two is betting on the outcome of the championship.

“It's going to be difficult, says Hamilton. So far, they have had the advantage but we have all had to deal with setbacks. Everything remains to be done and it should continue to be tight. (...) Our pace is good but not exceptional. We will have to work more. I hope we will be able to pull more from the car in the last races. "

"It's 50-50", summarizes Verstappen, still less talkative.

Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2nd in the Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix, won by Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), September 26, 2021 at the Sochi Yuri Kochetkov circuit POOL / AFP

Next round on October 10 in Turkey, where the Briton from Mercedes had equaled the record of seven world titles of the German Michael Schumacher last year.

© 2021 AFP