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Bottas wins in Russia, forcing Hamilton to wait to match Schumacher record

Sports Desk, Sep 27 (efe-epa).- Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas won the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi on Sunday thanks in part to a penalty against his teammate Lewis Hamilton that left the Brit in third place.

It was Bottas’ second win of 2020 and ninth of his career and means polesitting Hamilton will have to wait for another opportunity to equal Michael Schumacher’s 91-victory record.

He said after the race: “Once I was in clean air I felt that the pace was pretty awesome and that I could control everything.

“Never give up. It’s a good day. It’s nice to get another win as it’s been a while and I now need to keep the momentum going.”

The Finnish driver had a strong start to the race, quickly overtaking Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who finished second and secured his team its first podium at Sochi.

Verstappen said in a statement: “I was just trying to do my own race today.

“I think we managed it well. I am very happy with second especially after two DNFs.”

Hamilton was handed a 10-second penalty after a pair of practice start infringements on his laps to the grid.

Lewis Hamilton: “First I want to say a big thank you to the fans that came this weekend, it’s not been a great day but it is what it is.

“It doesn’t matter, it’s done now so I’ll take the points and move on but congratulations go to Valtteri.”

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