Valtteri Bottas completes practice double for Russian Grand Prix as Mercedes dominate
Lewis Hamilton was unable to match Valtteri Bottas as the world champion's Mercedes team-mate completed a practice double for the Russian Grand Prix.
Hamilton's attempt at matching Michael Schumacher's victory record began by finishing a surprise last but one in the opening running.
And although the six-time world champion moved up the order later in the day, it is Bottas who holds the advantage heading into the weekend.
Hamilton trailed the Finn by 0.2 seconds at the Sochi Autodrom, with Daniel Ricciardo a distant third for Renault and the McLaren duo of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris fourth and fifth respectively. Ricciardo was more than a second off Bottas' pace with Mercedes the class of the field once more.
Hamilton moved to within one victory of Schumacher's 91 wins following his triumph in Mugello earlier this month. The Brit was on course to finish ahead of Bottas on Friday afternoon, but ran wide at Turn 13 and abandoned his lap.
Hamilton was among a number of drivers to slip off the circuit during both practice sessions, with Max Verstappen on a personal-best lap before he spun in his Red Bull. The Dutchman had to settle for seventh.
The most significant accident involved Nicholas Latifi earlier on Friday. The rookie driver lost control of his Williams through the right-handed Turn 10 at the Sochi Autodrom, sliding backwards into the barriers.
Red Flag 🚩@NicholasLatifi is the second man in the wall this morning 💥
He loses it into Turn 10, and that will be the end of the session for the Canadian.#SkyF1 | #F1 | #RussianGP 🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/0nse6ALttc— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 25, 2020
Latifi sustained significant damage to his car but emerged unscathed from the heavy impact before the session was suspended to recover his stricken car. His Williams team performed an impressive repair job to ensure the Canadian could take part in the second session.
He finished 15th, one spot ahead of George Russell in the other Williams.
McLaren's Carlos Sainz spun at the same corner as Latifi, but the Spaniard was able to limp back to the pits, albeit without his broken rear wing.
Hamilton's chance of a fast lap in the morning running was thwarted when he was caught out under braking for the opening corner. Hamilton missed the apex of the right-handed bend before heading through the run-off area and cancelling his lap.
For team-mate Bottas, who trails Hamilton in the championship standings by 55 points, there were no such concerns. The Finn is chasing his first win since the opening round of the campaign in Austria.
Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel finished eighth and tenth on an improved, yet unremarkable, showing for Ferrari.
The 10th round of the season is being played out in front of a significant number of spectators for the first time this season, with 30,000 fans expected through the gates.
Final Times after second practice
Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:33.519
Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:33.786
Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:34.577
Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:34.723
Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:34.847
Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:34.890
Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:35.048
Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:35.052
Esteban Ocon (Fra) Renault 1:35.139
Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:35.183
Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:35.210
Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:35.242
Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:35.461
Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:35.516
Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 1:35.563
George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:35.575
Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:35.627
Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:35.729
Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:36.053
Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:36.858
01:34 PMFP2 - Classification
- BOT
- HAM
- RIC
- SAI
- NOR
- PER
- VER
- LEC
- OCO
- VET
- GAS
- ALB
- KVY
- RAI
- LAT
- RUS
- STR
- MAG
- GIO
- GRO
01:33 PMFP2 ends - Bottas quickest ahead of Hamilton
FP2 - Classification
- BOT
- HAM
- RIC
- SAI
- NOR
- PER
- VER
- LEC
- OCO
- VET
- GAS
- ALB
- KVY
- RAI
- LAT
- RUS
- STR
- MAG
- GIO
- GRO
01:33 PMFP2 ends - Bottas quickest ahead of Hamilton
FP2 ends - Bottas quickest ahead of Hamilton
Decent day for him, though he still made a right mess of the final sector on both his quick runs in this session. Daniel Ricciardo a very decent third for Renault, though he was a second slower than Bottas...
01:30 PMFP2 - Hamilton comes into the pits after complaining of vibrations
FP2 - Hamilton comes into the pits after complaining of vibrations
Has run for just seven laps on these soft tyres. The softest three compounds are on offer for the teams here, so it could hopefully be more than just a one-stopper. I am not too hopeful of that, however.
01:24 PMFP2 - Order with around seven minutes remaining
- BOT
- HAM
- RIC
- SAI
- NOR
- PER
- VER
- LEC
- OCO
- VET
- GAS
- ALB
- KVY
- RAI
- LAT
- RUS
- STR
- MAG
- GIO
- GRO
FP2 - Order with around seven minutes remaining
- BOT
- HAM
- RIC
- SAI
- NOR
- PER
- VER
- LEC
- OCO
- VET
- GAS
- ALB
- KVY
- RAI
- LAT
- RUS
- STR
- MAG
- GIO
- GRO
Decent showing from Latifi to be ahead of Russell after sticking it in the barriers in session one. And more generally, in all honesty. He's in the seat for next year so his aim should be to be closing the gap to Russell by the end of the year.
01:16 PMFP2 - Bottas still leads the way as the long runs are ongoing
FP2 - Bottas still leads the way as the long runs are ongoing
Looks like any team getting within a second of them will be a shock this weekend. Could they even be 1.5s quicker than the next fastest team?!
01:09 PMBREAKING NEWS: Stefano Domenicali to replace Chase Carey as President and CEO of Formula 1
BREAKING NEWS: Stefano Domenicali to replace Chase Carey as President and CEO of Formula 1
This news, rumoured for a day or two, has now been confirmed by Liberty. Carey will become non-executive Chairman. The change will take place on January 1 2021.
Here's what the former Ferrari boss had to say:
“I am thrilled to join the Formula 1 organization, a sport that has always been part of my life. I was born in Imola and live in Monza. I’ve remained connected to the sport through my work with the Single Seater Commission at the FIA and I look forward to connecting with the teams, promoters, sponsors and many partners in Formula 1 as we continue to drive the business ahead. The past six years at Audi and then leading Lamborghini have given me broader perspective and experience that I will bring to Formula 1.”
Have to say I think this is very, very good news for F1.
01:07 PMFP2 - Bottas breaks up his long run with a stop in the pits
FP2 - Bottas breaks up his long run with a stop in the pits
He was complaining about something sticking to his left hand in the cockpit, meaning he couldn't steer as he wanted. That'll be a pain. He's back out there again. Looking like he'll top FP2 as well as FP1, but neither Mercedes driver really nailing their hot laps.
01:05 PMFP2 - Still half-a-second or so out there
FP2 - Still half-a-second or so out there
Taking all of the best sector times (1+2 Bottas, 3 Hamilton) the potential session best is a 1.33.009, which is 0.510s quicker than the fastest time we currently have. Ominous for any non-Mercedes.
01:01 PMFP2 - Mercedes clearly out front with 30 minutes left
FP2 - Mercedes clearly out front with 30 minutes left
But from Sainz in fourth all the way down to Magnussen in 18th, there is just 1.006s.
12:53 PMFP2 - It'd be a great race were Mercedes not in it...
FP2 - It'd be a great race were Mercedes not in it...
I say that every week but if Red Bull are having a bit of a difficult time, as they are here, then it's fascinating.
12:46 PMFP2 - Yellow flags as Verstappen spins
FP2 - Yellow flags as Verstappen spins
That Red Bull looks a real handful at this track today. Encouraging for the rest of the midfield where, at certain tracks, they have an outside shot of a podium.
12:45 PMFP2 - Running order at the half-way stage
- BOT
- HAM
- RIC
- NOR
- PER
- VER
- OCO
- VET
- ALB
- GAS
- KVY
- RAI
- LAT
- RUS
- STR
- MAG
- GIO
- LEC
- SAI
- GRO
FP2 - Running order at the half-way stage
- BOT
- HAM
- RIC
- NOR
- PER
- VER
- OCO
- VET
- ALB
- GAS
- KVY
- RAI
- LAT
- RUS
- STR
- MAG
- GIO
- LEC
- SAI
- GRO
Only seven laps for Ricciardo but still in third.
12:43 PMFP2 - Ricciardo in third now
FP2 - Ricciardo in third now
A second off the pace of Bottas. Decent, he's driving really well this season. Verstappen has a BIG moment in the long left-hander, getting a wobble on at high speed and without much traction. It's quite mixed up below the Mercedes cars.
12:41 PMFP2 - I guess the Racing Point could be that much slower than the Mercedes...
FP2 - I guess the Racing Point could be that much slower than the Mercedes...
In low fuel but that seems unlikely given Bottas lost at least four tenths in the final sector with an error. That and George Russell has just gone eighth and quicker than Stroll.
12:37 PMFP2 - Time for Lance Stroll to give it full beans
FP2 - Time for Lance Stroll to give it full beans
He's seven-tenths down in the first sector, though, so this may be with a bit more high fuel. Indeed, he's 1.6s off the pace after two sectors, so it suggests it could be. He ends up going fifth 2.108s off the pace.
12:33 PMFP2 - Bottas goes quickest
FP2 - Bottas goes quickest
With two purple sectors in S1 and S2, but he runs VERY wide again at the final turn. It is still enough for him to go fastest by 0.267s.
He is losing time to Hamilton in the final sector, which may be why he was pushing so much. Hamilton may be giving it another go, which suggests his tyres were fine after that lock up.
12:32 PMFP2 - Hamilton does not improve his time
FP2 - Hamilton does not improve his time
As he locks up heading into T13 and just manages to stay out of the barrier. By how much? A few feet. Those soft compound tyres will be good for nowt, now and I expect he will come back in. Time for Bottas to wind it up...
Lewis Hamilton locks up! ⚠️
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 25, 2020
He was on a flying lap there - but at least he avoided the barriers and remains top of the timesheet 👍#RussianGP 🇷🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/hONg5A39eT
12:30 PMFP2 - Bottas gets it together enough to move up to P2
FP2 - Bottas gets it together enough to move up to P2
His earlier lap featured a big tankslapper in the final corner. Hamilton going again and setting quick sectors, so may drop into the early 1.33s here...
12:23 PMFP2 - A spin for Lance Stroll brought out yellow flags
FP2 - A spin for Lance Stroll brought out yellow flags
No damage.
🔄 Lance Stroll 🔄
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 25, 2020
Further proof that Sochi is proving tricky for our drivers - but he avoided any impact and he is back on track#RussianGP 🇷🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/RuJ1g0Jxt9
12:20 PMFP2 - Perez pops up into P4
FP2 - Perez pops up into P4
His lap was just a second off Hamilton's time but, interestingly, on the hard compound tyre. Encouraging for Racing Point.
12:18 PMFP2 - Running order so far
- HAM
- RIC
- VER
- BOT
- ALB
- NOR
- PER
- RAI
- GAS
- MAG
- OCO
- LEC
- KVY
- VET
- STR
- RUS
- GIO
- SAI
- GRO
- LAT
12:16 PMFP2 - Hamilton goes quickest
FP2 - Running order so far
- HAM
- RIC
- VER
- BOT
- ALB
- NOR
- PER
- RAI
- GAS
- MAG
- OCO
- LEC
- KVY
- VET
- STR
- RUS
- GIO
- SAI
- GRO
- LAT
12:16 PMFP2 - Hamilton goes quickest
FP2 - Hamilton goes quickest
Ricciardo slots in in P2, 0.451s behind him. Both on the medium compound tyres.
12:16 PMWhich team has the quickest car in qualifying?
Which team has the quickest car in qualifying?
It's obviously Mercedes. But by how much? And what is the rest of the order? Below is the raw pace ranking across the first nine rounds of the season. 100.000% represents the quickest lap over the course of a weekend, so the percentages are all based around the average of that. As Mercedes have the fastest lap in every round, they score at an average of 100.000%.
- Mercedes - 100.000%
- Red Bull - 100.955%
- Racing Point - 101.433%
- McLaren - 101.484%
- Renault - 101.653%
- Ferrari - 101.713%
- AlphaTauri - 101.861%
- Williams - 102.898%
- Haas 102.899%
- Alfa Romeo - 103.247%
12:10 PMFP2 - Bottas heads the timesheets... again
FP2 - Bottas heads the timesheets... again
He goes 0.065s ahead of Norris but on a hard compound, compared to Norris on the mediums. He had a big moment in the final couple of turns and probably lost the best part of a second there.
12:05 PMFP2 - Norris goes quickest
FP2 - Norris goes quickest
Ahead of Grosjean by 2.963s to be precise. He got a bit sideways in the final corner and took a chunk out of the turf on the way through.
12:01 PMFP2 begins!
FP2 begins!
Anyone out yet? Yes, Romain Grosjean and Lando Norris.
11:56 AMFP2 about to begin
FP2 about to begin
In five minutes or so.
11:49 AMFP1 highlights
FP1 highlights
Plenty of action.
There was plenty of drama in first practice at Sochi on Friday
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 25, 2020
And plenty of surprises on the time sheets too
Watch highlights of FP1 now 🍿#RussianGP 🇷🇺 #F1
11:46 AMClearly not a great deal was learned from that FP1 session
Clearly not a great deal was learned from that FP1 session
Mind you, have we really learned anything in any FP1 this season? Since the first one, anyway. I suppose we learned that the Sochi Autodrom has a pretty slippery surface, as the numerous spins and handful of shunts showed.
11:31 AMFinal times after first practice
- Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:34.923
- Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:35.430
- Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:35.577
- Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:35.796
- Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:35.965
- Esteban Ocon (Fra) Renault 1:36.061
- Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:36.230
- Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:36.254
- Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:36.323
- Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:36.706,
- Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:36.896
- Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:36.970
- Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:37.110
- Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:37.201
- Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:37.230
- Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:37.430
- George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:37.595
- Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:37.649
- Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:37.716
- Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 1:37.784
11:17 AMAfternoon all
Final times after first practice
- Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:34.923
- Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:35.430
- Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:35.577
- Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:35.796
- Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:35.965
- Esteban Ocon (Fra) Renault 1:36.061
- Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:36.230
- Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:36.254
- Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:36.323
- Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:36.706,
- Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:36.896
- Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:36.970
- Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:37.110
- Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:37.201
- Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:37.230
- Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:37.430
- George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:37.595
- Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:37.649
- Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:37.716
- Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 1:37.784
11:17 AMAfternoon all
Afternoon all
After an eventful first practice, the second session gets underway at 1pm BST, so in about 45 minutes or so.
09:37 AMOkay, that's it from me for now
Okay, that's it from me for now
I'll be back from around 12.30 for second practice, which begins at 1pm.
09:34 AMFP1 - Classification
- BOT
- RIC
- VER
- PER
- STR
- OCO
- KVY
- ALB
- VER
- GAS
- LEC
- SAI
- NOR
- GIO
- RAI
- MAG
- RUS
- GRO
- HAM
- LAT
09:34 AMFP1 - Grosjean not happy with a scruffy session
FP1 - Classification
- BOT
- RIC
- VER
- PER
- STR
- OCO
- KVY
- ALB
- VER
- GAS
- LEC
- SAI
- NOR
- GIO
- RAI
- MAG
- RUS
- GRO
- HAM
- LAT
09:34 AMFP1 - Grosjean not happy with a scruffy session
FP1 - Grosjean not happy with a scruffy session
"We need to check what's going on," he says. When he spun earlier on in the session he asked his team what happened. Maybe he needs to look at himself? Not sure he'll be in that Haas next season.
09:31 AMFP1 ends
FP1 ends
And Bottas is quickest. He's made a habit of that this season, though it has not really carried through to any great success in qualifying (close though he has been to Hamilton) or the races. So make of that what you will.
09:28 AMFP1 - Plenty of drivers out there now
FP1 - Plenty of drivers out there now
Making the most of track time in a stop/start session.
09:23 AMFP1 - Top 10
- BOT
- RIC +0.507
- VER +0.654
- PER +0.873
- STR +1.042
- OCO +1.138
- KVY +1.307
- ALB +1.331
- VET +1.400
- GAS +1.783
09:22 AMFP1 - 10 minutes to go
FP1 - Top 10
- BOT
- RIC +0.507
- VER +0.654
- PER +0.873
- STR +1.042
- OCO +1.138
- KVY +1.307
- ALB +1.331
- VET +1.400
- GAS +1.783
09:22 AMFP1 - 10 minutes to go
FP1 - 10 minutes to go
A fairly eventful first practice, as it happens. Still a Mercedes at the top of the timesheets.
09:20 AMFP1 - Renault showing signs of getting it together in the last handful of races
FP1 - Renault showing signs of getting it together in the last handful of races
Think they've missed a couple of opportunities on race day but the underlying pace is good. Showing decently here today, too.
09:17 AMFP1 - Hamilton goes...
FP1 - Hamilton goes...
Well, nowhere actually. He stays 19th. Russell has a lock up of reasonable proportions. He's currently in P17.
09:15 AMFP1 - Hamilton on a "quicker" lap
FP1 - Hamilton on a "quicker" lap
On the hard tyres, mind you. He hasn't managed to string together a representative flying lap in this session, which is why he's down in 19th, 2.8s off the pace.
09:13 AMFP1 - Ricciardo into second
FP1 - Ricciardo into second
With a decent lap, just half a second off Bottas's quickest time. The track is pretty slippery today, if there's one theme of the session, that is it.
09:07 AMFP1 - Verstappen goes second
FP1 - Verstappen goes second
0.654s off Bottas's quickest time. There was a yellow flag in the middle of the lap as Grosjean spun at turn 13 but it was not in the right place to affect Verstappen's lap at all.
09:04 AMFP1 - Current order
- BOT
- OCO
- PER
- VER
- RIC
- LEC
- GAS
- VET
- SAI
- KVY
- STR
- MAG
- ALB
- RUS
- HAM
- LAT
- RAI
- GRO
- NOR
- GIO
FP1 - Current order
- BOT
- OCO
- PER
- VER
- RIC
- LEC
- GAS
- VET
- SAI
- KVY
- STR
- MAG
- ALB
- RUS
- HAM
- LAT
- RAI
- GRO
- NOR
- GIO
Session has now restarted.
09:00 AMLatifi loses it
Red Flag 🚩@NicholasLatifi is the second man in the wall this morning 💥
He loses it into Turn 10, and that will be the end of the session for the Canadian.#SkyF1 | #F1 | #RussianGP 🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/0nse6ALttc
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 25, 2020
08:58 AMRED FLAG
Latifi loses it
Red Flag 🚩@NicholasLatifi is the second man in the wall this morning 💥
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 25, 2020
He loses it into Turn 10, and that will be the end of the session for the Canadian.#SkyF1 | #F1 | #RussianGP 🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/0nse6ALttc
08:58 AMRED FLAG
RED FLAG
Latifi has stuffed his Williams into the wall... back end first.
33 minutes remaining and Bottas leads Ocon. Hamilton locked up and flat spotted his hard compound tyres just before the flag.
08:45 AMNo guarantee that Sainz is going to be back on track
No guarantee that Sainz is going to be back on track
According to team principal Andreas Seidl. He was running in seventh. Bottas leads currently 1.6s ahead of Verstappen.
08:39 AMFP1 - Sainz into the barriers...
FP1 - Sainz into the barriers...
At fairly low speed, then. But still plenty of damage.
Virtual Safety Car ⚠️@Carlossainz55 slides into the barriers 💥
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 25, 2020
The rear wing of his @McLarenF1 is shedding debris.#SkyF1 | #F1 | #RussianGP 🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/xJzenTNkwq
08:36 AMFP1 - That's the VSC, then, as Sainz heads back to the pits
FP1 - That's the VSC, then, as Sainz heads back to the pits
Daniil Kvyat also had a spin, though without any damage other than perhaps a flatspotted tyre or two.
Accidente de Carlos Sainz y virtual safety car. pic.twitter.com/x6QLQi8ChI
— F1 + (@F1plus_) September 25, 2020
08:34 AMFP1 - Vettel on his hot lap
FP1 - Vettel on his hot lap
Plenty of traffic on the lap, though they all do well to get out of the way on this wide track. Think it's possibly a high furl run for Vettel here...as he's over two seconds off the pace.
Yellow flags, though, as Carlos Sainz is limping around the track with his rear wing hanging off. Not sure what's happened there, I assume he has gone into the barriers backwards somewhere?
08:32 AMFP1 - Verstappen goes quickest
FP1 - Verstappen goes quickest
On the hard tyres, ahead of Ricciardo and Perez. Plenty of motors buzzing around the Sochi track now as Sebastian Vettel winds one up for a hot lap on the soft tyres.
08:28 AMFP1 - Okay, so plenty more laps on the board
FP1 - Okay, so plenty more laps on the board
So here's a quick update on the running order so far. Still not everyone has set a lap, though.
- KVY
- OCO
- PER
- BOT
- MAG
- GAS
- VER
- LEC
- HAM
- ALB
- SAI
- RUS
- RIC
- RAI
- GRO
- STR
- LAT
- NOR
- VET
- GIO (no time)
08:22 AMFP1 - Very little action so far
FP1 - Very little action so far
As Kvyat (2nd) and Albon (4th) are the latest drivers to set times. Bottas still quickest at the moment.
08:10 AMFP1 - Now Bottas quickest
FP1 - Now Bottas quickest
0.403s ahead of Hamilton. You should read absolutely nothing into it, though.
08:08 AMFP1 - Hamilton the first to set a proper lap time
FP1 - Hamilton the first to set a proper lap time
A 1.37.716 it is. Would not be a surprise to see him end up there at the end of the day. Obviously.
08:02 AMFP1 begins!
FP1 begins!
Anyone out? Yes. A few for their installation laps.
07:57 AMOK, we're nearly ready to get going
OK, we're nearly ready to get going
Have to say this is not my favourite track. In fact it is one of my least favourite on the calendar. Doesn't mean we haven't had interesting races here, though...
07:48 AMCurrent constructor standings
07:35 AMCurrent driver standings - Top 10
Current constructor standings
07:35 AMCurrent driver standings - Top 10
Current driver standings - Top 10
Looking pretty rosy for Hamilton...
07:26 AMFans back in greater numbers this time
Fans back in greater numbers this time
Around 2,900 tickets were available to each day of the Tuscan Grand Prix two weeks ago, but this is a little different.
Fans back this week for the #RussianGP. 30,000 spectators expected through the gates over the next few days. #F1 pic.twitter.com/g59hPOqLC6
— Philip Duncan (@PhilDuncanF1) September 25, 2020
07:01 AMGood morning F1 fans
Good morning F1 fans
And welcome to our live coverage of practice for the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi. Things kick off with first practice in a little under an hour with second practice later on in the day. The time difference between central Europe and the more easterly Black Sea location of Sochi means we get things done and dusted an extra couple of hours earlier this weekend.
What is to be done and dusted in the first place? Well, judging by the entire season so far it will surely be a) Mercedes bossing first and second practice, b) Mercedes bossing qualifying with Lewis Hamilton beating Valtteri Bottas to his 725th pole position of his career (he has a lot...) and then, perhaps, something a little bit more interesting happening in the race where Hamilton ends up extending his championship lead, even if he has an awful race.
Sorry, it has been one of those seasons, hasn't it? Still, the greatest narrative this year and this race is of Hamilton matching Michael Schumacher's long-standing record 91 Grand Prix wins and equalling his seven titles. The former looks likely happening this weekend and what a landmark it would be. The latter will come about in due course.
That is all giving this race some extra context. 91 seemed like an un-passable total when it was set – given how far ahead he was of the next best driver – but, really, Hamilton's imminent record-equalling feat will be achieved in the same manner as Schumacher. Get the quickest driver, who makes few mistakes, into the one of the sport's most dominant ever teams and the glory will follow. Not a difficult equation but you still have to beat what's in front of you...
As ever, I'll be here for the two practice sessions today, with all the live updates and news around the F1 paddock this weekend. And a bit of performance analysis, of course.