World champion Lewis Hamilton recovered from a modest start to win the Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix and help his Mercedes team clinch a record seventh straight constructors’ world title.

Hamilton claimed his ninth victory of the season and record-extending 93rd overall ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas as Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo battled home in third place.

Hamilton dropped to third early on but later recovered and was helped by a virtual safety car phase to take the lead which he did not relinquish.

There was another late safety car phase after Max Verstappen went out when the right rear tyre of his Red Bull blew up, and George Russell then crashed under the safety car.

The one-two finish saw Mercedes clinch a seventh consecutive constructors’ championship as they overtook Ferrari, who won six in a row between 1999 and 2004.

Hamilton can clinch a record-tying seventh drivers’ world title at the next race on November 15 in Turkey.