The first win is the hardest, Lauda tells Bottas

Formula One - F1 - Russian Grand Prix - Sochi, Russia - 30/04/17 - Mercedes Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland celebrates the victory after the race. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - Valtteri Bottas waited 81 races for his first Formula One win to come along but it will get easier for the Finn after Sunday's success in Russia, according to former world champion Niki Lauda.

"To win the first grand prix...is always the most difficult one," the retired triple champion and non-executive chairman of Bottas's Mercedes team, told reporters.