F1 heads to the Sochi Autodrom this weekend for the 5th consecutive running of the Russian Grand Prix. One of three F1 circuits to be run at among former Olympic venues, only 1.1 miles of this 3.6 mile Tilke-designed street circuit is shared with public roads. The race also holds the distinction of having the longest race distance of any Grand Prix at 309.944km.
Strategy is the name of the game for the Red Bull teams as all cars are set to take new Spec. 4 engines and the grid penalties that come along with them. The thought is to give each runner a fresh engine going into the Japanese Grand Prix, Honda’s home race, as well as have enough engines each car and driver’s pool to last until the end of the season. Given the strategic penalties a podium will be tough but not completely out of the question for Red Bull. Expect Toro Rosso to finish with one car in the points as Kvyat will be taking a complete PU and will start from the back of the grid.
Elsewhere on the grid, we must cautiously tip our hats to Ferrari who seem to have developed their chassis concept to a point where it matches their engine. Mercedes will be doing everything they can to prove they haven’t lost their winning form. Battle for best-of-the-rest will come down to a Renault and a McLaren with the latter maybe having a slight edge. From there expect an Alfa Romeo and a Racing Point to be battling with the former having the slight edge despite the latter having introduced an upgrade in Singapore. After that should come Haas who will be trying a new hybrid (old/new) aero package in an effort to boost its form. As we’ve grown to expect in 2019, Williams will finish at the back of the pack.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Friday, September 20 – 4.25AM – ESPN2
Practice 2 – Friday, September 20 – 8.25AM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Saturday, September 21 – 5.55AM – ESPN2
Qualifying – Saturday, September 21 – 8.55AM –
ESPNEWS
Pit-Lane Live – Sunday, September 22 – 7.30AM – ESPN3
On the Grid – Sunday, September 22 – 7.30AM – ESPN2
Race – Sunday, September 22 – 8.05AM – ESPN2
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: 1:35.861, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 2018
Downforce Level: Medium
Cooling Requirement: Low
Fuel Consumption: 1.84kg/lap
Typical Strategy: 1 Stop Race
Pitlane Length: 330m
2018 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 1:31.387
Race laps: 53
Fast race lap: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 1:35.861
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
2. Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes
3. Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 296
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 231
3. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 200
4. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 200
5. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 194
6. Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso, 69
7. Carlos Sainz, McLaren, 58
8. Alex Albon, Red Bull, 42
9. Daniel Ricciardo, Renault, 34
10. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, 33
Constructors
1. Mercedes, 527
2. Ferrari, 394
3. Red Bull, 289
4. McLaren, 89
5. Renault, 67
6. Toro Rosso, 55
7. Racing Point, 46
8. Alfa Romeo Racing, 35
9. Haas, 26
10. Williams, 1
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