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That's all for this live text. Next race is in Germany in two weeks time.

Hope to see you then. Bye for now.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport’s chief F1 writer

Image source, Reuters

Lewis Hamilton's quest for the was put on hold when he was hit with penalties at the Russian Grand Prix.

Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas dominated after the world champion was given a 10-second penalty for doing two illegal practice starts.

Hamilton's transgressions put him on the verge of a one-race ban because of accumulated licence penalty points. Bottas' win meant he cut Hamilton's championship lead to 44 points.

Hamilton and the Mercedes team made the victory easy for Bottas with their collective failure to know the rules on practice starts before the race, but the Finn might have won anyway.

He was on the better strategy - starting on the medium tyres while Hamilton was on softs after a chaotic qualifying session for the Briton - and was tracking Hamilton in the early laps waiting for the race to play out.

But two five-second penalties, each for practice starts in the wrong place on the reconnaissance laps before the cars go to the grid, took Hamilton out of the equation.

This is how it stands. It was a perfect day for Valtteri Bottas with the win and fastest lap as well. That trims the gap down to 44 points with seven races to go.

Image source, .

A heavy first-lap crash for Carlos Sainz, but he says he is OK.

Ten gone, seven to go.

Next up is Germany in a fortnight's time.

Image source, F1

Lewis Hamilton who finished in third had this to say post-race: "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."

A clearly frustrated Hamilton seemed reluctant to discuss the penalties that he received: "It doesn't matter, it's done now so I'll take the points and move on but congratulations go to Valtteri."

Max Verstappen, who finished second: "Very low grip on the insides. It cost us a bit but otherwise quite interesting.

"After the restart we were a little slower on the medium, I was having problems with the balance. Once we were on the hard tyre we were a bit more competitive.

"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."

Russian Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas: "The start was going to be the first opportunity - actually it was a bit compromised because there was a massive bee, or something, that hit my visor, so I couldn't really see where I should brake, so that's why I went too deep.

"I knew it was going to be a long race. That, and with the medium tyre I had, with the opportunities - Lewis had the penalties - so once I was in clean air, I felt the pace was pretty awesome and I could really control everything.

"I wasn't concerned [about Max Verstappen] because I knew how many opportunities there would be. Never give up, it's been a good day.

"It's nice to get a win, it's been a while and I need to try and keep the momentum. Again, managed to squeeze a few points over Lewis but there's still quite a few races to go, so you never know. I'll keep pushing, I wont give up and we'll see how it ends up."

Right, let's hear from the top three. Starting with Valtteri Bottas, who had an unusual distraction on the opening lap...

Ben: Bottas lucked into the win today after a poor qualfying yesterday. This wasn't a redemptive win like Australia 19, when he first said his catchphrase.

Sylvester: The title is much closer than it looks if Lewis has an accident that's his fault Valtteri probably wins then Lewis is banned for a race so instant 50-point swing as Bottas wins next race as well so imagine that happen.

1. Bottas
2. Verstappen (+7.7)
3. Hamilton (+22.7)
4. Perez (+30.5)
5. Ricciardo (+52)
6. Leclerc (+62.1)
7. Ocon (+68)
8. Kvyat (+68.7)
9. Gasly (+89.7)
10. Albon (+97.8)
11. Giovinazzi (one lap)
12. Magnussen (one lap)
13. Vettel (one lap)
14. Raikkonen (one lap)
15. Norris (one lap)
16. Latifi (one lap)
17. Grosjean (one lap)
18. Russell (one lap)

DNF: Sainz, Norris

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 5 live

A very accomplished drive but I have to say he was unchallenged today, unsure if this will silence his critics but still though he's got the win and fastest lap so it's job done!

andyeb: Another race result decided by regulation & penalties.

Francesca: Not a win, Bottas didn’t do anything other than wait for Hamilton to take his penalty. Didn’t bother getting closer, didn’t bother trying to race him. So I’m sorry the win is still Hamilton. From 11th and still got to 3rd.

Jeremiah: The question whether this is a new turn for Bottas should be taken in the consideration that Hamilton inflicted the penalty on himself. He had a great start. But not to take it away, Bottas has done a good job to control and win the race.

Bottas is going to have start winning a lot more races on his own, not because Lewis Hamilton gets a 10-second penalty, to really shut his critics up.

Mercedes: Yes mate, get in there.

Valtteri Bottas: YESSS! A nice moment to thank my critics and to whom they may concern **** you.

Albon gets a late five-second penalty. Shouldn't make any difference as he's 10th. He's another one to not follow race director's instructions with this turn two polystrene bollard rubbish.