Valtteri Bottas has revealed a "massive bee" hitting his Formula 1 helmet impaired his vision when trying to overtake Lewis Hamilton ꧋on the opening lap of the Russian Grand Prix.

Bottas made a strong start from second on the grid in Sochi and tucked into Hamilton’s slipstream on the run down to Turn 2🌄.

The Finn b🃏roke t♌oo late as he attempted to overtake Hamilton around the outside, ultimately settling into second place.

“Obviously I tried, as I knew the start was going to be the first opportunity, Bottas said. “I was compromised because there was a massive bee or something smashed into my visor, just before the braking and that’s why I could not really see when I should brake and went a bit 🍷too deep.

“I knew it was going to be a long race after that and ♕with the medium tyres I had there would be opportunities.”

After Hamilton was handed two five-second time penalties for a pit lane infringement before the start of the grand prix, Bottas controlled the race from the front and claimed his second victory of the season ahead of Max Versta🔯ppen.

“For sure, it is nice to get a win again. It has been a while and it definitely feels good. Now try to keep the momentum, I managed to squeeze a bit more po♔ints against Lewis, there are still quite a few races to go and you never know.

“I’ll keep pushing, won’t give up and we’ll see how it e🧸nds up.”

Bottas’ win puts him 44 points behind Hamilton in the drivers’ championship with seven races to ♏go.