F1 heads to the Sochi Autodrom this weekend for the 3rd consecutive running of the Russian Grand Prix. Set among former Olympic venues, only 1.1 miles of the 3.6 mile Tilke-designed street circuit is shared with public roads.
Expecting a tough weekend seems to be the new normal for McLaren Honda; such is the case this weekend. While the Woking-based squad did make progress during the Bahrain test, the circuit’s slow turns into fast straights/sweepers do not compliment their package in its current state. Still, Fernando Alonso has been able to extract some remarkable performance from the car relative to where it is expected to be.
Elsewhere on the grid, it’s anybody’s guess whether Mercedes or Ferrari will have the edge for the top spot on the podium. Red Bull is quietly gaining on the front runners by quickening its race pace so good starts will be essential for them on race day. The midfield battle is incredibly tight with Force India, Williams, Toro Rosso, and Haas jockeying for P6-P10. Could this be the weekend Haas puts together its first double points finish?
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1: Friday April 28th, 4:00AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Practice 2: Friday April 28th, 8:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Practice 3: Saturday April 29th, 5:00AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Qualifying: Saturday April 29th, 8:00AM
EST
,
CNBC
Race: Sunday April 30th, 7:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
CIRCUIT
INFO
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 19
Race laps: 53
Lap Distance: 5.848km (3.637 mi)
Race Distance: 310km
Longest Straight: 1073m
Top Speed: 336kph
Average Speed: 210kph
Altitude: 3m above sea level
Lap Record: 1:39.094, Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 2016
Downforce Level: Medium
Cooling Requirement: Low
Fuel Consumption: 1.84kg/lap
Typical Strategy: 1 Stop Race
Pitlane Length: 330m
2016 (V6
TURBO
ERA
) RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Nico Rosberg, 1:35.417
Race laps: 53
Fast race lap: Nico Rosberg, 1:39.094
Podium
1. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
2. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
3. Kimi Raikonnen – Ferrari
CURRENT
STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 68
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 61
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 38
4. Kimi Raikkonen, Scuderia Ferrari, 34
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 25
Constructors
1. Scuderia Ferrari, 102
2. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 99
3. Red Bull Racing, 47
4. Sahara Force India, 17
5. Williams Martini Racing, 16
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