***** Russian Grand Prix 2014 ***** (contains spoilers)

[suffolk009]

Fri 10 October 2014

Practice 1 07:00 - 08:30
Practice 2 11:00 - 12:30

Sat 11 October 2014

Practice 3 09:00 - 10:00
Qualifying 12:00

Sun 12 October 2014
Race 12:00

Will the new circuit level the field?
Will Mercedes seal the WCC?

Mod Edit: Converting race time from local to BST

Edited by Gaz. on Monday 6th October 13:35

[Oily Nails]

I'm not sure it will be a great "leveller" track. From the few reviews I have seen its has 50% high speed straights and sweeping corners and then 50% tight left-right corners, like any other new "street circuit".
Hopefully it will not be another Valencia!

What I do expect is;

• Complaints about lack of grip becuase it is a new surface.
• A least one dodgy curb which ether launches someone or damages a tyre/wing (hopefully without a serious incident)
• The likes of Hamilton/Ricardo to quickly adapt to this new track and push the envelope whilst Massa/Sutil/etc struggle.

and of course

• Enough dodgy money and shaved head bodygaurds floating around the paddock/grid to make Abu Dahbi look like a church fete!

Should be an intresting weekend.

[evenflow]

Wishing all the very best to Jules Bianchi of course, but thinking practically who is in line to replace him for this GP?

[MiniMan64]

evenflow said:

Wishing all the very best to Jules Bianchi of course, but thinking practically who is in line to replace him for this GP?

Depends if Marusia can even rustle up another chassis I guess. They're not going to turn the other one around in a week.

[smithyithy]

Well that looks an exciting track.....

[Silverbullet767]

Nice of them to put a giant roundabout there. "Take the 3rd exit at the roundabout"

[ajprice]

I may be misremembering this, but when DC and Vettel went around the track in an Infiniti for a BBC feature a few races ago, the 180 degree long curve was off camber, and they both thought that could make things interesting at race pace with the barriers being fairly close.

[Jedilai]

As has been said I think there are a lot of 90 degree turns which might make it seem a lot like the red bull ring. Might suit the Williams cars again with straight line speed. This coming just after Japan with a variety of chicanes and corners.

[williamp]

Lots of not-quite-straights so no real overtaking there.i wonder how many years they will use it for. Longer then India? S Korea? maybe even as long as Turkey??

[Vaud]

MiniMan64 said:

Depends if Marusia can even rustle up another chassis I guess. They're not going to turn the other one around in a week.

Won't it stay impounded by the FIA for now? In case of worst case?

[moanthebairns]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itqoq8jK0Nk

looks fking horrible

[thebigmacmoomin]

evenflow said:

Wishing all the very best to Jules Bianchi of course, but thinking practically who is in line to replace him for this GP?

Alexander Rossi I would have thought as he is the reserve driver & took part in practice at Spa.

[thegreenhell]

Gaz. said:

The track looks awful, sterile and battleship grey from floor to ceiling. Russia in October.... may as well film it in black and white.

[Roverload]

Found this race, took place a couple of weeks ago, you get to have a good look at the circuit and watch a truly epic race, I could watch this all day long!

http://youtu.be/nw2H1Aqv_CE

[RichB]

Oily Nails said:

What I do expect is; <clip> The likes of Hamilton/Ricardo to quickly adapt to this new track and push the envelope whilst Massa/Sutil/etc struggle.

Hopefully Hamilton can win this one by a significant advantage working towards rendering the Abu Dhabi GP a dead rubber.

[Jasandjules]

RichB said:

opefully Hamilton can win this one by a significant advantage working towards rendering the Abu Dhabi GP a dead rubber.

I must confess I am hoping this too...BUT he'd have to be 50 points ahead in case of a DNF for him and win for Nico.

As to the race, well, I am expecting the Mercs to be 1.5 secs ahead of the pack.

[RichB]

Jasandjules said:

RichB said:

opefully Hamilton can win this one by a significant advantage working towards rendering the Abu Dhabi GP a dead rubber.

I must confess I am hoping this too...BUT he'd have to be 50 points ahead in case of a DNF for him and win for Nico.

That's true, so it's highly unlikely. Even though I would prefer Hamilton to win the WDC my desire for this to happen prior to Abu Dhabi is to make a mockery of the double points fiasco.

[DiscoColin]

moanthebairns said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itqoq8jK0Nk

looks fking horrible

The hopelessly bland, flat circuit or the nasty saloon car that he is driving. No wonder he wanted a switch to Ferrari after that...

[RichB]

ash73 said:

If Lewis builds a 40+ point lead and DNFs in the last race this forum will be like when Nico got pole in Suzuka

This forum is dead because of the tiresome arguments that always develop and people trying to provoke an argument - no other reason.

[Jasandjules]

RichB said:

his forum is dead because of the tiresome arguments that always develop and people trying to provoke an argument - no other reason.

Indeed. I get frustrated when I see a driver who is b**ls to the wall, flying around the track like a man possessed, racing hard as hell, yet seems to be the target of attack for hairstyles or photos.

The bottom line is I watch F1 to see people who drive beautifully and fast and furiously.