Lewis Hamilton is dealing with the poor start in his attempt to claim a third consecutive title like a true champion, according to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.The Briton has struggled due to reliability issues, poor starts and contact with other drivers during the opening three rounds of the F1 season and has yet to trouble team-mate Nico Rosberg, who has sealed an impressive hat-trick of victories.Rosberg is already 36 points clear in the Drivers Championship ahead of this weekends Russian GP but Hamilton, who admits he is out of jokers in 2016, has kept calm thus far with 18 races remaining. And Wolff says that he is impressed by the way both Mercedes drivers have handled their contrasting starts to the campaign, noting the adversity Hamilton has faced.Both drivers are in a good place mentally, the Mercedes head of motorsport said. Nico is on great form but keeping his feet firmly on the ground. Russian GP on Sky The Russian GP is live and exclusive on Sky Sports - and there are a host of ways you can watch it. Lewis would have every right to feel disheartened by his start to the season - but he is calm and confident, handling adversity like a true champion.Hamilton had to start the Chinese GP from the back of the grid due to a power unit failure in qualifying and Mercedes have confirmed that the MGU-H has now been repaired, with an insulation error thought to be the problem, and the unit will travel to Russia as a spare. Sky Sports F1’s Natalie Pinkham joined Lewis Hamilton for a live Facebook chat following his return from the Chinese GP The Sochi Autodrom has been a happy hunting ground for Hamilton, however, winning both of the previous grands prix at the venue, and he remains confident that his season will soon start to improve.He said: There was plenty going through my head after China, as youd expect. But, after all these years, experience has taught me to stay calm and keep pushing forwards when I get knocked back. Ive been here before a few times now. Russian GP tyre choices Mercedes have opted for softer tyres than Ferrari A lot can happen over the next 18 race weekends and I have the utmost confidence in this team. But adversity is part of the journey: it brings us closer, makes us stronger and I know that together well bounce back, so Im confident of better weekends to come.There are lots of positives to carry into the next battle. If nothing else, I know after these first few races that I can still overtake! Rosberg extended his winning streak to six in Shanghai but as well as fearing a comeback from his team-mate, he also believes Ferrari and Red Bull are hot on the Silver Arrows tail.I would never have expected the first three weekends to go the way they have, he added. Ive made the most of my opportunities and I have a bit of an advantage in the points right now - but we are only three races down and it would just take one bad weekend for that gap to disappear.Most consecutive F1 winsLewis is still the benchmark for me as he is the current champion, Ferrari havent shown what they can do yet and Red Bull also look like theyre getting stronger, so its going to be a good battle and Im looking forward to that. I wouldnt have it any other way.Dont miss the F1 Report on Wednesday at 8:30pm on Sky Sports F1 for a preview of the Russian Grand Prix. Natalie Pinkham is joined in the studio by Marc Priestley and Dominic Harlow.Also See:Whens the Russian GP on Sky?Most consecutive F1 winsKeibert Ruiz Dodgers Jersey . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. Los Angeles Dodgers Gear .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shootout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? All of the video replays we were shown on TV were inconclusive about whether the puck had entirely crossed the line or not. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/ . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Los Angeles Dodgers Store . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. Austin Barnes Jersey . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged.NEW YORK -- Even though theyre comfortably ahead in the NL East, the Washington Nationals are waiting to really take off. At least, thats what manager Dusty Baker says.I still believe that we havent hit our stride yet. I mean, every teams won seven, eight, nine, 10 in a row except us. So, I still believe our best time of the year is yet to come, he said Sunday night.The Nationals wound up leaving Citi Field with two straight losses, the latest when rookie Seth Lugo pitched the New York Mets to a 5-1 win.Reynaldo Lopez (2-3) gave up three runs on six hits, three wild pitches and a walk in four innings. Called up from Triple-A before the game, he did get his first major league hit.Lopez hit the upper 90s mph, but as hes learned from his back-and-forth trips between the majors and minors, its hard to overwhelm big leaguers with pure heat.Hitters are very intelligent, and thats not about power on my end. Its not about trying to throw the ball past everybody. Ive got to pitch intelligently and got to be smart and get smarter, he said through a translator.Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce each hit a two-run homer as the Mets won for the 11th time in 15 tries and stayed within one game of St. Louis for the second NL wild-card slot.Lugo (3-2) limited the Nationals to one run and six hits in seven innings, walking none and striking out four. The 26-year-old righty has won three straight starts, permitting a total of three runs, to help rejuvenate an injury-plagued rotation.Lugo wobbled in the first inning, giving up two quick hits, plunking a batter, making multiple pickoff throws and drawing a visit from pitching coach Dan Warthen. Lugo escaped a bases-loaded jam by retiring Wilson Ramos on a nubber and later set down 10 hitters in a row.Had him on the ropes in the first inning and we didnt cash it in. It could have been a different ballgame, Baker said.Granderson drove in three runs. New York set a team record with its 97th homme run at home in a season, topping the 96 at Shea Stadium in 2006.ddddddddddddDanny Espinosa matched a career high with his 21st homer for Washington.Daniel Murphy singled and has a hit in all 16 games this season against the Mets, the team he helped send to the World Series last year.Granderson hit his 23rd homer. Bruce connected for his 29th off Mat Latos, who made his Washington debut after being released by the White Sox in June.ITS A FAKENationals star Bryce Harper always gets booed at Citi Field, and drew another earful after faking out the New York crowd. The right fielder caught a ball near the line to end the first and pretended to flip it to Mets fans, then cut across the diamond and tossed the souvenir to kids wearing Washington hats above the dugout.HATS OFFThe Mets and Nationals both wore hats honoring New Yorks police, fire, Port Authority and other first responders during batting practice. The Mets also will wear them next Sunday on Sept. 11. This was their last home game before the 9/11 anniversary and they received permission from Major League Baseball for the tribute. The Mets asked the Nationals if theyd want to join them, and they did.These guys need to be rewarded, Mets manager Terry Collins said, wearing an NYPD hat.TRAINERS ROOMNationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (sore elbow) threw a bullpen before the game and Baker said the reports were good. There is a chance the ace could start Wednesday at home vs. Atlanta.Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (forearm) is still resting and its very possible he could miss two starts, Collins said.UP NEXTNationals: RHP Max Scherzer (15-7, 2.89 ERA) was returning to Washington early to prepare for his start at 4:05 p.m. Monday against Atlanta. His start was pushed back a day to give him extra rest. Ryan Weber (1-0, 5.24) was to pitch for the Braves. ' ' '