Rosberg cruises to victory, Vettel second in Baku

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By Lara Seychell

• Nico Rosberg wins Grand Prix of Europe
• Championship title difference is now 24 points
• Hamilton only finishes fifth

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg won what seemed to be an easy Grand Prix of Europe in Azerbaijan after starting from pole position.

He led the race from start to finish without any issues to extend his lead in the championship to 24 points.

Sebastian Vettel for Ferrari finished in second place over 16 seconds behind the winner. Sergio Perez passed Kimi Raikkonen on the last lap to secure third, the same position he achieved in Monaco.

The 2015 world champion Lewis Hamilton struggled throughout the race with a wrong setting on the car but still managed to secure fifth position after starting from 10th place. The Brit was trying to sort out the problem while driving and only managed to regain his speed with eight laps to go.

As reported on The Telegraph, Hamilton said during the race, “This is ridiculous guys, I don’t know. I’m looking at my fricking dash every five seconds trying to find a switch in the wrong position. I’ve not changed anything or done anything wrong that I’m aware of.”

McLaren struggled in the street circuit with its very long straight. In fact, Jenson Button finished in 11th while Fernando Alonso had to retire on lap 42.

The race, which was expected to be full of episodes of crashes and safety cars, was a very quiet and disappointing one with only four retirements and hardly anyone touching the barriers of the narrow street circuit.

Here are the final standings:

1. Nico Rosberg
2. Sebastian Vettel
3. Sergio Perez
4. Kimi Räikkönen
5. Lewis Hamilton
6. Valtteri Bottas
7. Daniel Ricciardo
8. Max Verstappen
9. Nico Hulkenberg
10. Felipe Massa
11. Jenson Button
12. Felipe Nasr
13. Romain Grosjean
14. Kevin Magnussen
15. Jolyon Palmer
16. Esteban Gutierrez
17. Marcus Ericsson
18. Rio Haryanto

• DNF Fernando Alonso
• DNF Pascal Wehrlein
• DNF Carlos Sainz
• DNF Daniil KvyatThe next race will be held at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 3rd.