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2021 Formula 1 World Championship
Round 15
Russian Grand Prix
Sochi Autodrom
Sunday 26 September 2021
13:00
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas will look to make the Sochi Autodrom a ‘happy hunting ground’ once again when the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship holds the Russian Grand Prix on the afternoon of Sunday 26 September.
The Finnish driver is a two-time race winner in Sochi, claiming victory in the 2017 and 2020 editions of the Russian GP. And the 32-year-old comes into the race in fine form, after an excellent display at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
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Bottas claimed pole position, won the sprint race and then, starting the full-length race at the back of the grid due to a power-unit penalty, came through the field to finish third behind a McLaren-Mercedes 1-2 of Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris.
The Finn, who was recently announced as a new driver for Alfa Romeo from 2022, benefited from a crash between teammate Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull Racing-Honda’s Max Verstappen, as well as a time for Sergio Perez (who finished third on track, but was then demoted), but nonetheless proved his class with an outstanding drive.
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“I told the team that I was going to be on the podium so I am glad we did," Bottas said afterwards. "Starting from the back is never easy, and in the end I'm glad we got more points than Red Bull.
“A great recovery from me, I don't think I've made up that many places in a race in my career. The battle with Perez was a good one and I am very happy with my result.”
He added, “Probably one of my better weekends with Mercedes, I think I was strong all weekend so that is very satisfying. Now we need to look ahead and I hope to carry this momentum into Russia, a track where I've done well in the past."
Drivers’ Championship standings
1 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing-Honda, 226.5 points
2 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 221.5 points
3 – Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 141
4 – Lando Norris, McLaren-Mercedes, 132
5 – Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing-Honda, 118
Constructors’ Championship standings
1 – Mercedes, 362.5 points
2 – Red Bull Racing-Honda, 344.5
3 – McLaren-Mercedes, 215
4 – Ferrari, 201.5
5 – Alpine-Renault, 95
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