Motorsport weekend wrap: Bottas claims first F1 win

Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas claimed his first Formula 1 victory after holding off Sebastian Vettel in the Russian Grand Prix.

In just his fourth race for Mercedes, Bottas started third on the grid at Sochi, but jumped past the Ferraris of Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen at the start. He then resisted a late-race charge from Vettel to take his first win in his 81st race.

“I’ve always known I could do good results if everything goes right,” said Bottas. “I always trust in my ability but it’s nice to get confirmation that the results are possible, so definitely good to continue from here.”

Raikkonen finished third, with Lewis Hamilton taking a disappointing fourth after struggling for pace during the race. Vettel now leads Hamilton by 13 points.

The next race is the Spanish Grand Prix on May 14.

World Rally Championship

Welshman Elfyn Evans was denied a maiden World Rally Championship victory by just 0.7 seconds on Rally Argentina last weekend.

Evans, driving a DMACK-backed Ford Fiesta RS WRC, led the bulk of the event, but entered the finial stage leading Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville by 0.6s. Neuville then completed the final test 1.3s quicker to snatch glory.

“It’s been a milestone event in my career,” said Evans. “We’re obviously disappointed at not sealing out first win, but this weekend has made me even more determined.”

Reigning champion Sebastien Ogier finished fourth and continues to lead the points. Northern Ireland’s Kris Meeke retired from the event after crashing his Citroen C3 WRC.

Round-up

• Tom Chilton led home fellow Briton Rob Huff in the first FIA World Touring Car Championship race at Monza. A broken driveshaft sidelined Chilton’s Citroen in race two, which was won by Volvo’s Thed Bjork. Huff was third.
• Reigning IndyCar Series champion Simon Pagenaud claimed his first victory on an oval at Phoenix, leading home Penske team-mate Will Power by 9.1 seconds.
• Brits Lando Norris and Callum Ilott both took Formula 3 race wins at Monza. Joel Eriksson, who won the other race at the Italian track, continues to lead the points.