Lewis Hamilton will start from pole position for the Russian Grand Prix after he avoided a penalty for leaving the track during qualifying.

The six-time world champion only just squeezed into Q3 following a red flag but was comfortably quickest during the session, boosting his hopes of a record-equalling 91st race win on Sunday.

However, Hamilton was one of four drivers summoned to see the race stewards regarding a possible infringement at Turn 2 in Sochi.

Romain Grosjean, Kevin Magnussen and Nicholas Latifi were also called in by officials, and while Hamilton admitted exiting the track, he was not moved back on the starting grid.

"The driver accepted that he had not followed the instructions and further he accepted that in a race there would be a penalty," a statement from race stewards read.

"The stewards determined that there was no advantage, as the relevant lap time was deleted according to Doc 27.

"Furthermore, to be consistent with previous decisions, the stewards considered the precedents set out in Doc. 25 of the 2018 Spanish Grand Prix and Doc. 31 of the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix.

"The stewards remind all teams and drivers that a failure to negotiate Turn 2 as defined in the event notes during the race will likely lead to a five-second time penalty."

Hamilton sits on 90 victories in his career, leaving him one behind the tally achieved by the legendary Michael Schumacher.

The Briton has won six times already this season, including last time out at the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello.