Russian Grand Prix 2015: As it happened

Hamilton wins 2015 Russian Grand Prix

A great 2015 Russian Grand Prix, one full of action, despite Lewis Hamilton's dominance following Nico Rosberg's retirement just a few laps into the race. The Briton has now increased his championship lead to 73 points over his teammate, while Sebastian Vettel, who finished in second place will move ahead of his compatriot in the championship as well.

Kimi Raikkonen faces the prospect of being docked of his fifth place after causing a collision on the final lap, when he came together with Valterri Bottas as they battled for the final podium position. The winner of all the confusion was Sergio Perez, who took a much deserved third place after holding that place for most of the latter part of the race, only to be overtaken by the two flying Finn's on the final lap.

Mercedes will have to wait until the stewards decide the course of punishment for Raikkonen before starting their celebrations. They could still win the Constructors' Championship this weekend.

McLaren-Honda duo's reliability this weekend has paid dividends as Jenson Button finished ninth with teammate Fernando Alonso came in tenth, and they could yet move up a place if Raikkonen is excluded from the race result.

The drive of the day clearly belonged to Sergio Perez for his rise from seventh on the grid to third, but more for his composure to maintain that position and take advantage when it mattered. The shock of the day is Rosberg's retirement, which has now clearly handed Hamilton, barring sudden mechanical issues, a third Drivers' Championship.

The podium ceremony is on with Russian President Vladimir Putin on stage.

the drivers were having a great time ahead of the podium, with Vettel teasing Hamilton about getting the fastest lap between them. The Briton also clearly loving the Russian style hats on offer for the winners.

Vettel is in second, Perez gets a much deserved third place, despite being passed on the final lap.

Massa comes in fourth, after Kimi suffered damage following his crash with Bottas. The Ferrari driver is sure to get penalised for the collision. Bottas absolutely incensed!!

HAMILTON WINS!!!!

LAP 53/53 - Kimi and Bottas come together as the Ferrari driver tries a last gasp move. Kimi continues with damage but Bottas if out.

LAP 52/53 - Kimi rejoins the party on the penultimate lap of the race. Could be a tasty couple of laps

LAP 51/53 - Hamilton has been asked not to use DRS, Bottas closes in on Perez.

LAP 50/53 - Perez doing a great job to keep Bottas behind him. The Mexican has a knack of putting in such drives.

LAP 50/53 - Kimi sets the new fastest lap of the race, might be a tad bit late to challenge Bottas and Perez for a podium place.

LAP 49/53 - A Russian steward runs on to the track and collects the debri. Vettel impressed, despite being a scary moment.

Ricciardo has parked up with a problem.

LAP 48/53 - Kimi finally gets past Ricciardo and this time keeps it on track. Bottas now has Perez in his sights.

LAP 47/53 - Carlos Sainz spins out hits the barrier, but gets going again and drops debri on the track. He eventually parks up, not a good weekend for the Spaniard. But glad he is ok.

LAP 46/53 - Kimi goes past Ricciardo but runs wide to hand it back. Kimi could be having some break issues looks like, as he ran wide a second time just following the Red Bull

LAP 45/53 - Bottas goes past Ricciardo with relative ease, and now Perez will come under pressure. Kimi yet to make a move.

LAP 43/53 - Vettel sets the fastest lap of the race, but is still 11.5 secs behind Hamilton.

Bottas and Kimi struggling to catch and overtake Ricciardo despite being on much fresher rubber. Perez taking advantage to manage his tyres

LAP 42/53 - Hamilton is 12 seconds ahead of Vettel in second. Perz is asked to manage his front tyres

LAP 40/53 - Perez driving a good race in third, comfortably maintaining pace with the cars behind him. Ricciardo in fourth with Bottas and Kimi behind.

LAP 39/53 - Massa, who is on the super-soft tyres for his final stint is making progress. He is in ninth place chasing down home favourite Kvyat

LAP 38/53 - Perez is in third place, with Ricciardo in fourth, but both of them stopped on LAP 12, Bottas and Kimi clearly have the better tyres, still unable to catch them.

LAP 37/53 - Great driving by the two Finn's. This battle is going to go down to the wire.

LAP 36/53 - Kimi makes a move on Bottas, but runs wide and concedes the place to his compatriot. Tries again but fails.

LAP 34/53 - Vettel back up to third place and now into second following stops for Massa and Ericsson

LAP 33/53 - A great stat which shows Hamilton's dominance this season. The Briton has led 76% of the laps this season.

Vettel goes past Perez, who is yet to stop, next up Massa.

LAP 32/53 - Kimi comes out right behind Bottas, it could be a battle till the end. Hamilton comes in for his stop, quite routine that, comes out in 1st.

LAP 32/53 - Kimi in for his stop, unlikely he can stay ahead of Bottas.

LAP 31/53 - Vettel comes out ahead of Bottas, great pit stop from Ferrari - 2.2 seconds, and the Williams were 3.4 seconds

LAP 30/53 - Bottas gets past Sainz, he is 26 seconds behind Vettel in second. Ferrari are getting ready for a stop. Vettel in!!

LAP 28/53 - Kimi also asked to push as Bottas gets stuck in traffic. Right behind Sainz now. Hamilton continues to increase his lead.

LAP 27/53 - Bottas comes out in 11th place after his first stop. As Vettel's engineer tells him to 'push'.

LAP 26/53 - Vettel is now within DRS range to Bottas, as the Finn tells his team 'the tyres are dying'. He is straight into the pits.

LAP 26/53 - Kimi clearly having some straight line speed problems, has dropped off from Vettel. Sainz has been handed a five second time penalty for crossing the white line during pit entry.

LAP 25/53 - Alonso warned by FIA for cutting apex on Turn 16. Vettel continues his pursuit of Bottas

LAP 23/53 - Vettel is closing in by half a second a lap to Bottas on this lap

LAP 23/53 - Vettel is catching Bottas in second, he is now 2 secs behind the Finn. Undercut may come into play.

LAP 21/53 - Hamilton is flying!! he has extended his lead over Bottas to 4.4 seconds

LAP 20/53 - If all stands as it is, Mercedes will have to wait to celebrate the Constructors' championship. Ferrari out scoring them as of now.

LAP 18/53 - Great battles between the two Ferrari's and between Ricciardo and Sainz. No effects of the accident there. Great driving.

LAP 18/53 - Kimi complaining about lack of straight line speed. Grosjean has been cleared by the medical centre. Great news that.

LAP 16/53 - Vettel finally passes Kimi after two attempts at the restart, Bottas and Hamilton got away clean.

LAP 16/53 - Safety Car in this lap

Grosjean walks away from the crash

LAP 14/53 - It could be a long stint behind the safety car, a lot of debri on the track

LAP 13/53 - Grosjean looks ok, gets out of the car and walks to the medical car

LAP 12/53 - Massive crash for Grosjean!! Safety Car

LAP 10/53 - Hamilton on fuel save mode, that was the reason for Bottas being so close. He has now been asked to cut that.

Sainz is now in 11th place following the first lap collision and a fine overtake on Jenson Button. He started last.

LAP 9/53 - The Williams are looking mighty strong, Bottas is in second, with teammate Massa slowly but surely making his way up the grid from 15th place. The Brazilian is currently in ninth place.

LAP 8/53 - Rosberg's final straw in the championship battle has come to nothing. The German looks like he will retire after eight laps with a throttle problem. Gives Vettel a chance to grab second place in the championship

LAP 7/53 - Rosberg's miseries continue as the German pulls into the pits. Hamilton leading from Bottas with Kimi in third.

LAP 6/53 - Bottas is matching the pace set by the two Mercedes cars, as Rosberg sets consecutive fastest laps.

LAP 6/53 - Vettel on Kimi's tail, tried a move on Turn 1, but the Finn is not giving an inch.

LAP 5/53 - Rosberg "my throttle peddle is broken" and asks what will happen if it gets stuck?

LAP 4/53 - Sorry, Rosberg is still ahead of Hamilton, the Briton did not pass his teammate.

LAP 4/53 - Bottas has passed Raikkonen for third. That Mercedes power gliding past the Ferrari

Safety car is in and the race is back on!!

Hamilton has passed Rosberg on Turn 1, Kimi is in third after passing Vettel and Bottas.

Hulkenburg's spin and eventual collision with Ericsson is the reason for the Safety Car. Verstappen was also caught in the melee but looks okay to continue from the back of the pack.

Grosjean comes into the pits as well and goes onto the soft compound tyres, from the super soft.

SAFETY CAR!!!

LIGHTS ARE OUT!! 2015 Russian Grand Prix is a go!!

There is a championship up for grabs today, and it looks likely that Mercedes will be crowned Constructors' champions for the second consecutive year at the Sochi Autodrom.

Drivers set out on the formation lap. The start will be crucial. Keep an eye on Hamilton.

Less than 10 minutes to race start!! strap in!

Bernie Ecclestone has agreed a new three-year deal with Pirelli as tyre suppliers to F1

Mercedes need to score three points more than Ferrari to wrap the 2015 Constructors' Championship.

Here's Maldonado and Grosjean leaving their pits.

The pit lane is now open all the cars are now making their way to the grid.

All teams are glad to see Toro Rosso's Spanish driver in the car for the race, here's Sauber team sounding delighted.

Great to see Carlos Sainz back with the rest of the drivers at the parade. He is fit an ready to race after yesterday's horrific crash in FP3.

If you missed the pre-race party at Sochi, here is a glimpse

Welcome to IBTimes UK's live coverage of the 2015 Russian Grand Prix. Lap-by-lap updates of the race will begin at 12pm BST.

Nico Rosberg starts on pole for the second consecutive race, but can he convert into a win. The German needs to start winning to keep his title fight alive.