Valtteri Bottas earned his second win of the 2020 Formula One season at the Russian Grand Prix, benefitting from a penalty for his teammate Lewis Hamilton that left the six-time champion third at the flag, as Max Verstappen came second to claim Red Bull’s first-ever podium at Sochi.
Hamilton, after a pair of practice start infringements on his laps to the grid led to him being handed a 10s penalty mid-race, saw him start the race on the back foot, ruling him out of contention for the win, as he finished third.
Bottas, meanwhile, enjoyed the ninth win of his career after passing Max Verstappen for second at the race start, before then benefitting from Hamilton’s penalty to enjoy an untroubled run to the chequered flag.
He also won his first race at the same venue back in 2017.
The win might also prove as an important confidence booster for Bottas whose previous victory came at the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix back in July.
Watch the Race highlights below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR9wCkHk9A4
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Hamilton, the polesitter, was under investigation heading into the race for making two practice starts from the wrong place in the pit lane on his reconnaissance laps to the grid, around 35 minutes before the Grand Prix started.
The world champion was handed two, five-second penalties from stewards on lap eight, which he then served in the pit lane before his lap-17 pit stop. He also had two further penalty points added to his license – although they were later rescinded by the FIA.
Hamilton could have equalled Michael Schumacher’s F1 wins record but the delay dropped the Englishman to 11th although he still salvaged a podium with third place.
“What happened?” asked Hamilton over the radio when told of his double penalty. “Where is that in the rule book?”
In his post-race interview, a visibly-frustrated Hamilton claimed “they’re trying to stop me, aren’t they” in relation to the stewards.
Russian GP Top 10
1. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
4. Sergio Perez, Racing Point
5. Daniel Ricciardo, Renault
6. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
7. Esteban Ocon, Renault
8. Daniil Kvyat, AlphaTauri
9. Pierre Gasly, AlpaTauri
10. Alexander Albon, Red Bull
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