In the first free practice session at the Sochi Autodrom, Bottas was fastest, ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton and title contender Verstappen. In 2022, Bottas will leave Mercedes for Alfa Romeo, with George Russell rejoining with his colleague after leaving Williams. After changing his engine, Verstappen will start from the back of the line on Sunday.
Valtteri Bottas said Mercedes prevented him from pursuing victory earlier in the Formula One season.
The Finn, who has yet to win in 2021, said he “wasn’t allowed” to contend for the victory as the team backed Lewis Hamilton in his bid for a record eighth Drivers’ Championship.
“I don’t know really, I need to ask Toto [Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal],” Bottas told reporters when asked if he would be targeting victory at the Sochi Autodrom.
“At least earlier in the season, I felt like I wasn’t allowed anymore for the contention, but you never know. We go race by race.
“I think in Formula 1 you just never know how the season will progress. There is still a fair amount of races so never say never.”
Meanwhile, Verstappen will start the Russian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after changing his engine.
The Dutchman received a three-place penalty for his role in the Italian Grand Prix incident with Hamilton, and has used the chance to replace an engine that was damaged earlier in the season at the British Grand Prix.
After his own engine change, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start just ahead of Verstappen.
In both first and second practice at the Russian Grand Prix, Bottas was faster than teammate Hamilton.
Since the race’s return to the F1 calendar in 2014, Bottas has won twice in Sochi as part of Mercedes’ seven-year supremacy in Russia.
He departs for Alfa Romeo at the end of the season, with Williams’ George Russell set to pair up with Hamilton in 2022.
At the Spanish Grand Prix in May, Bottas was ordered to pass Hamilton, who is five points behind Verstappen in the race for his first world title.
The Finnish driver hopes he can win again at the Russian Grand Prix: “For me personally, coming here is different, so the only thing that’s in my mind is winning.
“That’s the only thing that matters to me and that is my approach for this week.”
On Friday afternoon in Russia, Verstappen was only sixth fastest in second practice, with Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) completing the top three.
Earlier, Hamilton had edged out the Red Bull driver behind Bottas, who had been in excellent form at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
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