Lewis Hamilton snatched an unlikely victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas was forced to retire with just three laps to go in a dramatic finale in Baku.

Defending Formula One champion Hamilton benefited from Sebastian Vettel locking up when attempting to overtake Bottas at the restart following a late safety car, before the Finn sustained a puncture after appearing to drive over some debris.

  Suit up. Strap in. It’s time to roll out for the #AzerbaijanGP 🇦🇿! Excited as us? Show us your passion with an emoji! 🔥👇 • • • #MercedesAMGF1 #MercedesAMG #F1 #DrivenByEachOther A post shared by Mercedes-AMG F1 (@mercedesamgf1) on Apr 29, 2018 at 4:45am PDT

The Briton consequently had his first win in seven races handed to him, with Kimi Raikkonen taking second and Sergio Perez securing the last step on podium.

Hamilton moved to the top of the drivers' standings, opening a four-point advantage over Vettel, who had to settle for fourth and will no doubt be frustrated at seeing victory slip through his fingers.

The late safety car was deployed as a result of Daniel Ricciardo slamming into the back of Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen with 11 laps remaining, the duo having battled fiercely all race and already made contact once.

Romain Grosjean sent his Haas careering into the wall to reduce the laps for racing further, and the misfortune of Vettel and Bottas meant it was Hamilton who somehow came out on top for his first podium in Azerbaijan and Mercedes' maiden win of 2018.