Lewis Hamilton stormed to victory as Mercedes secured another one-two at an uneventful French Grand Prix.

The Formula One world championship leader led from pole to flag and eased to a fourth consecutive win - and his sixth of a dominant season.

Hamilton crossed the line 18 seconds ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, taking another step towards retaining his title at Circuit Paul Ricard.

The five-time F1 champion got off to a slick start and continued to fly after switching from medium to hard tyres on lap 25 of 53 on a warm day in Le Castelle. 

Charles Leclerc took third place in his homeland and his Ferrari colleague Sebastian Vettel crossed the line in fifth behind Max Verstappen after starting back in seventh spot.

Vettel was furious after a five-second penalty meant it was Hamilton rather than the German who won in Montreal last time out and it proved to be another frustrating Sunday for the Scuderia.

Carlos Sainz was sixth ahead of Renault's Daniel Ricciardo on a day that lacked fireworks after the drama in Canada, with Lando Norris dropping to 10th late in the race.


A STROLL FOR SILVER ARROWS

While Hamilton's win at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was not guaranteed even until this week, his 79th career success never really looked to be in doubt.

Hamilton, who is now 36 points clear of Bottas in the drivers' standings, reported a few concerns over the radio during his latest win - including blistered tyres - but there did not seem to be any worries in the Mercedes garage.

Bottas held off a late challenge from Leclerc for a sixth Silver Arrows one-two of the season.


EXTRA POINT BUT NO PRIZES FOR VETTEL

Ferrari failed in a bid for a FIA review into a five second penalty that cost Vettel a first victory of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix.

The German then experienced a "funny" qualifying session as he did not feel at ease with his car and he was unable to progress through the field as he may have hoped, gaining just two places.

Vettel did gain a point when he pitted for soft tyres to post a fastest last lap, but that was little consolation.


LATE WOE FOR DRIVER OF THE DAY NORRIS

Norris may have also taken little comfort for being named driver of the day.

The McLaren driver started fifth on the grid and looked set to finish behind team-mate Sainz in seventh before losing three places on the last lap.

Ricciardo, Kimi Raikkonen and Nico Hulkenberg all passed him after a short virtual safety car spell for a bollard ending up on the track, which Alexander Albon clipped.


IN THE POINTS

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) +18.056secs
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +18.985s
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +34.905s
5. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) +62.795
6. Carlos Sainz Jr (McLaren) +95.462s
7. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) +1 lap
8. Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) +1 lap
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) +1 lap
10. Lando Norris (McLaren) + lap


DRIVER STANDINGS

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 187
2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 151 (-36)
3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 111 (-76)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 100 (-87)
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 87 (-100)


CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS

1. Mercedes 338
2. Ferrari 198 (-140)
3. Red Bull 136 (-202)
4. McLaren 39 (-299)
5. Racing Point 19 (-319)


WHAT'S NEXT?

Hamilton will attempt to continue his winning streak at Austrian Grand Prix next weekend, a race which Vertappen one last year.