F1 | Russian GP | Bottas wins from Verstappen as Hamilton is hampered by penalties
Hamilton's penalties opened the door for Valtteri Bottas to take his second win of the 2020 season. Verstappen and Hamilton completed the podium in a quiet race at the front.
It was confirmed before the start that both Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi were given 5-place grid penalties for gearbox changes. Albon dropped from P10 to P15, with Latifi moving from 19th to 20th.
Lewis Hamilton was under investigation ahead of the race for doing a practice start outside of the designated area. Ultimately, Hamilton was given two 5-second penalties for separate practice start violations.
LAP 8/53
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 27, 2020
Lewis Hamilton has been handed two five-second time penalties by the race stewards for issues over his practice start before the race
He's out in front - and looking to build a big lead#RussianGP 🇷🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/tI8FPdDBZV
When the lights went out, Hamilton just held onto the lead as Bottas tried to go around the outside at T2. After initially losing out to Ricciardo in T2, Verstappen got back into 3rd. Ricciardo’s teammate Esteban Ocon also overtook him as they fought hard through the middle sector.
There was carnage in the middle of the pack as Sainz crashed on his own at turn 2 when trying to go through the bollards after failing to make the corner. Lance Stroll also ended up out of the race as he got hit by Charles Leclerc as they battle for position in turn 4. The safety car was unsurprisingly deployed.
LAP 1/53
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 27, 2020
Safety Car is out on the opening lap
Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz are both out of the race 😮💥#RussianGP 🇷🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/NlytU9F8Fu
Kevin Magnussen made a sensational start in the Haas to move up from 18th on the grid to P9. Grosjean also had an excellent opening to lap to be 10th after starting 16th.
Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen, Ocon, Ricciardo, Perez, Gasly, Leclerc, Magnussen and Grosjean was the order behind the safety car following that chaotic start.
After the restart, Kvyat cleared both Haas cars to move into the points in P9.
Russell, Albon and Norris had a fantastic tussle a few laps later as Russell and Albon got back in front after the McLaren driver led coming out of the last corner. However, the Williams driver made a mistake soon after; it allowed Albon and Norris to get through.
LAP 14/53
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 27, 2020
Three in a line 👀@GeorgeRussell63 @alex_albon @LandoNorris #RussianGP 🇷🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/chSEfuxbDt
Perez made a beautiful move on Ricciardo at T3 to take 5th on lap 15; the Australian pitted immediately in response to that.
LAP 16/53
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 27, 2020
Terrific stuff as Ricciardo and Perez battle - it's the Mexican who comes out on top as he forces his way past the Renault #RussianGP 🇷🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/RXqp4vJtJD
Hamilton pitted at the end of lap 16 and served his penalties. He rejoined in P11 on the hard compound. Despite those penalties, Hamilton remained ahead of Perez, Ocon and Ricciardo after they all boxed.
Perez was the big winner of the stops as he overcut Ocon for a net P4, thanks to the Frenchman getting stuck behind Sebastian Vettel.
Renault swapped their cars around to allow Ricciardo to have a go at Vettel, but he locked up in T2 and failed to follow the race directors' instructions and got smacked with a 5-second penalty.
Ricciardo and Ocon eventually cleared the German, but Leclerc’s long opening stint allowed him to rejoin between the Renaults. Daniil Kvyat also gained from going far into the race before boxing and came out behind Esteban Ocon; he ended up in front of Gasly, too.
Bottas, Verstappen, Hamilton, Perez, Ricciardo, Leclerc, Ocon, Kvyat, Gasly and Norris was the top 10 after everyone had made a stop.
Gasly stopped with 10 laps to go after and dropped to P11. However, he overtook both Albon and Norris to move back into 9th place.
Albon cleared Norris himself as the Brit locked up on very worn hard tyres with six laps to go to move up to P10. The Thai overtook Giovinazzi and the Haas’ as he climbed back through the field following a second stop.
LAP 47/53
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 27, 2020
Edge of your seat stuff as Gasly and Albon go at it for the final points position - and Gasly emerges in P10 ⚔️#RussianGP 🇷🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/aO7A3D9JUo
Bottas eased to victory following Hamilton’s penalties. Verstappen finished 2nd, with Hamilton 3rd.
Sergio Perez was a superb 4th in the Racing Point, ahead of Ricciardo, Leclerc, Ocon, Kvyat, Gasly and Albon. Ricciardo and Albon remained in P5 and P10 despite 5-second penalties.