F1 heads to the Sochi Autodrom this weekend for the 6th consecutive running of the Russian Grand Prix. One of four F1 circuits to be run at among former Olympic venues, Sochi is the only one which was a winter Olympics venue. Only 1.1 miles of this 3.6 mile Tilke-designed street circuit is shared with public roads and the race also holds the distinction of having the longest race distance of any Grand Prix at 309.745km.
Red Bull will enter the weekend with much anxiousness built up for two different reasons. First they need Max Verstappen to complete the race and finish strong after being plagued by an electronics glitch in the power unit. Second they need Alex Albon to use his performance in Mugello to further his confidence to run at the front of the grid. Expect one car on the podium, likely 3rd. On the AlphaTauri side of the garage we can expect one car solidly in the points and the other just outside of a points-paying position.
Elsewhere on the grid, Mercedes must be favored to win not only because of their current strength but their undefeated record at Sochi. Expect the next battle to be between a McLaren and a Racing Point as the former has been consistently strong and the latter has one car with upgrades this weekend. Following very closely will be a Renault looking to capitalize on any error from the cars in front. After that we should expect to see the first of the Ferrari cars. As we begin to move out of the points-paying positions we can expect to see a couple of team cars from the other midfield runners and the usual battle between Haas and Alfa Romeo. Williams will be toward the back although lately they have been keen to join the Ferrari-powered race in front of them.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Friday, September 25 – 3.55AM – ESPN2
Practice 2 – Friday, September 25 – 7.55AM – ESPN2
Practice 3 – Saturday, September 26 – 4.55AM –
ESPN
Qualifying – Saturday, September 26 – 7.55AM – ESPN2
Pit-Lane Live – Sunday, September 27 – 6.30AM – ESPN3
Race – Sunday, September 27 – 7.05AM – 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: 1:35.761, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2019
Downforce Level: Medium
Cooling Requirement: Low
Fuel Consumption: 1.84kg/lap
Typical Strategy: 1 Stop Race
Pitlane Length: 330m
Tyres: Hard (C3), Medium (C4), Soft (C5)
2019 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 1:31.628
Race laps: 53
Fast race lap: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:35.761
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
2. Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes
3. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 190
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 135
3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 110
4. Lando Norris, McLaren, 65
5. Alex Albon, Red Bull, 63
6. Lance Stroll, Racing Point, 57
7. Daniel Ricciardo, Renault, 53
8. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 49
9. Sergio Perez, Racing Point, 44
10. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, 43
Constructors
1. Mercedes, 325
2. Red Bull, 173
3. McLaren, 106
4. Racing Point, 92
5. Renault, 83
6. Ferrari, 66
7. AlphaTauri, 53
8. Alfa Romeo, 4
9. Haas, 1
10. Williams, 0
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