- World champion receives two five-second penalties
- Hamilton: ‘They’re trying to stop me, aren’t they’
Lewis Hamilton believes he and his Mercedes team are being unfairly targeted because of their Formula One success. The world champion received two penalties at the Russian Grand Prix, where he finished third behind his teammate Valtteri Bottas, who won, and the Red Bull of Max Verstappen. Hamilton stated during and after the race that the penalties were an attempt to stop him.
Hamilton has won five of the past six world championships and Mercedes have been dominant in the sport since 2014, winning every drivers’ and constructors’ title since then. At Sochi Hamilton was given two five‑second penalties when he undertook a practice start on his way to the grid but outside the designated area.
