Russia GP: Valterri Bottas Win As Lewis Hamilton Finished Third Over Penalty

Lewis Hamilton could not equal the previous record set by Michael Schumacher for F1 most race win following a 10-second penalty that was giving him, leaving his teammate Valterri Bottas to win his second race of the season.

The Finn driver started in P3 after being pipped for second place by Max Verstappen at the final qualifying session of Saturday. However, the two five-second penalties served Hamilton was for doing his practice start outside the designated area. 

Hamilton had led the race until Lap16 when he pitted to serve the penalties as Bottas raced on to claim the fastest in 1:34:00.364s followed by the Red Bull driver, Max, for a podium appearance in second place. 

Meanwhile, the six-time champion fought hard from behind to reach provisional third by Lap30 but was unable to undo the damages and managed to make the podium in the third position. What the Briton needed was winning the race in Sochi for his career 90th and equal Schumacher's record.

"First I want to say a big thank you to all the fans that came this weekend," said Hamilton. "It doesn't matter, it's done now, I'll take the points that I got and move on."

Hamilton also received two penalty points by race stewards and that bringing him to the risk of getting a race ban according to new F1 rules - he now has a total of ten points which is close to the 12-point penalty for a race ban. 

"It's ridiculous the points they've been giving people this year in general," he added concerning stewards penalty points. "I did not harm anybody, I didn't put anyone in harm's way so ultimately it's a ridiculous rule."