Hamilton leads way in Russian GP practices

With Sebastian Vettel struggling with his tires, Lewis Hamilton set the pace Friday in the second practice session for the Russian Grand Prix. Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bot- tas had been slower than their Ferrari rival in the first session, but they set faster times in the afternoon after switching to the softest tire compound. Hamilton was .199 seconds faster than Bottas in cool, overcast conditions. Needing to beat Hamilton in Sochi to cut into the British driver’s championship lead, Vettel was fifth, .543 off the pace. Williams driver Lance Stroll of Montreal was last in both sessions. He spun out in the first practice but avoided the barriers.