The stewards at the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday evening cancelled the two penalty points imposed on Lewis Hamilton's super license and instead fined his Mercedes team.

The six-time champion had been handed the two penalties and given two five-second time penalties after making irregular pre-race practice starts in the pit-lane exit road.

Hamilton, who was bidding to equal Michael Schumacher's record 91 Grand Prix wins, finished third in a race won by his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas with  Red Bull's Max Verstappen second.

Earlier, Hamilton accused the stewards of trying to stop him winning.

"I need to go back and see what the rules are and what exactly I did wrong," the Briton told Sky Sports television after being punished for practice starts outside of the designated area on his way to the grid.

"I'm pretty sure no-one's got two five-second penalties for something so ridiculous before," he added.

"I didn't put anyone in danger. I've done this at a million tracks over the years and never been questioned on it. So it is what it is."