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Hamilton beats Bottas in final practice in Sochi

Sports Desk, Sep 26 (efe-epa).- Lewis Hamilton was the fastest in the third and final practice of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi on Saturday.

The Mercedes driver, leader of the Formula One World Championship, beat his teammate Valtteri Bottas by a considerable margin of 0.776s.

The Finnish driver was quickest in the first and second runs but had to settle for second place in the final practice, followed by McLaren’s Carlos Sainz who had the third-best time.

Hamilton, who is looking for his 91st victory in Sochi to match Michael Schumacher’s record, broke Bottas’ dominance in practice with a best time of 1:33.279.

After the first 15 minutes of testing and testing, Bottas came off the track on one curve looking for the tightest track.

Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo set the first best time of 1:35.672, which was far short of Friday’s fastest time because Bottas put half a second’s difference in his next run.

The Finn’s return was indisputable with a better time and with Hamilton just behind.

Sainz set an impressive third-fastest time, narrowly behind Bottas and more than a tenth ahead of Renault’s Esteban Ocon.

There was a small scare from Pierre Gasly, who span out on a corner but avoided hitting the barriers.

Max Verstappen was on soft tires for most of the session and the Red Bull driver was second until the qualifying runs, when he set a fastest first sector but was then slowed down by traffic.

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