Back Valtteri Bottas to shine again at Sochi

Russian Grand Prix practice one
Sky Sports F1, 9am Friday

Lewis Hamilton has taken a stranglehold of the world championship after winning at Monza at Singapore – tracks where Ferrari were expected to dominate.

So he will be full of confidence heading to Sochi, where Mercedes have won every Russian Grand Prix.

Hamilton is favourite to start the weekend by going fastest in first practice, but a better value bet could be to back his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.

The Finn hasn’t fulfilled his potential this year – suffering some bad luck and sometimes having his race sacrificed in order to help Hamilton.

However, Bottas has a fine record at Sochi, where he made the most of a fast start to earn his first career win last year.

Mercedes seem to be closing the performance gap to Ferrari and bookmakers look right to make Hamilton race favourite.

Recommendation
V Bottas fastest in P1
1pt each-way 8-1 bet365

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