BOTTAS WINS, HAMILTON RECORD BID ON HOLD

Valtteri Bottas won the Russian Grand Prix for Mercedes on Sunday after teammate and Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton picked up time penalties for infringements before the race had even started. Hamilton, who had started on pole position in Sochi hoping for a 91st victory to equal Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s all- time record, finished third behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Mexican Sergio Perez was fourth for Racing Point with Australian Daniel Ricciardo fifth for Renault. Canada’s Nicholas Latifi finished 16th, while Lance Stroll did not finish after spinning out. Hamilton’s hopes were dashed when stewards issued two five-second penalties for making practice starts outside the designated area as he headed to the grid. He accused stewards of trying to stop him winning and said the “ridiculous” sanctions were excessive but to be expected: “They’re trying to stop me, aren’t they?” he told Sky Sports television. Hamilton also collected two penalty points on his licence, leaving him just two away from a one-race ban.