Official Russian GP 2019 Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

Formula One arrived in Russia in 2014, with the inaugural Grand Prix held on a street circuit designed by Hermann Tilke, laid out around the heart of the Sochi Olympic Park site, the scene of the Winter Olympic Games.

Sochi is defined by two long straights with an awful lot of 90-degree corners. Tyre degradation is among the lowest of the year thanks to the smooth tarmac. Only Mercedes has won here, but after the last three races, that could soon change.

Date(s): Friday 27 September 2019 - Sunday 29 September 2019

UK Broadcast Timings (and local time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1; Race and Qualifying highlights are on Channel 4:





Live timing for all sessions available here:

https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html

Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:

https://www.fia.com/championship/events/fia-formul...

Weather forecast (currently a bit of thunder):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/491422

Tyre Choices:



2018 Qualifying Result:



2018 Race Result:



2018 race highlights:

https://youtu.be/jnRCF08PwIU

Last year, Lewis Hamilton took a big step towards his fifth world championship with victory in the Russian Grand Prix.

Hamilton benefited from team orders as Mercedes told his team-mate Valtteri Bottas to let him by at half distance to protect against Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton however had to overtake Vettel on track to get into a position to benefit from the orders after being passed at the pit stops.

Edited by Piginapoke on Monday 23 September 20:52

Edited by Piginapoke on Monday 23 September 20:53

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Perfectly smooth tarmac to hide Ferrari's blushes again?

[TheDeuce]

For the first tie this season I'm not making any pre FP2 bold predictions

I'm going to sit back, relax and with an open mind enjoy learning if Ferrari really have 'found something' that elevates their car in general, or whether they just got the perfect mix in Singapore. Beyond Ferrari, in general predictions have been a little off this season as so many circuits have bought very different races this season than in previous seasons.

I would guess that Red Bull will punch above their weight (again) here slightly as they can open up the taps 'to 11' on this kind of circuit, and so far the Honda PU seems happy to accommodate such running lap after lap without a hiccup.

Usually I roll my eyes at this GP, it's not a great circuit and the whole 'Russian' thing bothers me tbh. But whatever, it's chiefly about F1 and other dull circuits have been anything but this season. Bring it on

[BrettMRC]

My prediction is that the weight of expectation will lead to a spectacular Ferrari cock up.

[North West Tom]

Am I right in thinking that Singapore and Russia are the two worst races to put a week apart in terms of logistics and time zones?

[London424]

I think it'll be a Ferrari win. This track won't burn their tyres as that is what has been their issue this year.

I don't think Merc will be fast enough down the straight to overtake them as per Monza.

[TheDeuce]

BrettMRC said:

My prediction is that the weight of expectation will lead to a spectacular Ferrari cock up.

They are overdue finding a way to ruin their own race..

[geeks]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Perfectly smooth tarmac to hide Ferrari's blushes again?

Actually at Singapore where it's bumpy as hell it was the Ferrari's coping the best apparently. I think it's more likely that the long straights will flatter the Ferrari in Qualy trim with a usual lack of pace in race trim will return and they can't control the field like they did in Singapore. However its a question of if they can get the car to work in the final sector which is usually where everyone crosses the line with rear tyres that are basically on fire. Usually a good circuit for Bottas as well. Hopefully they wont screw him there this year if he is running ahead.

[robbieduncan]

North West Tom said:

Am I right in thinking that Singapore and Russia are the two worst races to put a week apart in terms of logistics and time zones?

Australia would be even worse than Singapore?

[Deesee]

Super Smooth Track, Race and Quali due to be cloudy (perhaps some rain), cool temperatures & A step or two harder on the compounds than last yr....Getting the tyre in the window in these cool conditions will be key...

I think this is a circuit these modern cars will grow into (where to be honest they have outgrown a few), big power, high speed turns.


From the front I expect Red Bull and in particular Albion do do very well, I feel we may see him on the podium, Bottas will be a threat for the win.

The McLaren v Renault battle for the midfield will be very interesting... (I'm going Renault to pick up the points).

[North West Tom]

robbieduncan said:

Australia would be even worse than Singapore?

Yep, but I'm talking about the actual season fixtures. At least there is a week extra between Australia and Bahrain.

[RZ1]

Be interesting to see if Ferrari can keep up some momentum.

[Piginapoke]

Top 3 prediction (I think Ferrari will dominate on the 2 straights)

LeClerc
Vettel
Verstappen

Mercedes not far behind, but behind.

[Jasandjules]

Piginapoke said:

Top 3 prediction (I think Ferrari will dominate on the 2 straights)

LeClerc
Vettel
Verstappen

Mercedes not far behind, but behind.

Race or Quali?

Quali I think it will be Charles then Seb then Lewis.... I can't see the Red Bulls having enough power for this one.

[Piginapoke]

Jasandjules said:

Race or Quali?

Quali I think it will be Charles then Seb then Lewis.... I can't see the Red Bulls having enough power for this one.

Race result.

I think Max, Red Bull and Honda are match for the Mercs now in race trim

[kambites]

I'd be surprised if we don't see a Merc on the podium.

[mattikake]

Ferrari may well have the best all round car now.

This is a good explanation https://youtu.be/zH65ihCSjnw

Merc still have the best driver though but I bet Lewis is regretting his words wanting ferrari to close the gap...

If Ferrari keep delivering I expect the gap between Hamilton and Bottas to get bigger and bigger as Hamilton is forced into compete mode.

Edited by mattikake on Tuesday 24th September 23:13

Edited by mattikake on Tuesday 24th September 23:14

[anonymous-user]

mattikake said:

If Ferrari keep delivering I expect the gap between Hamilton and Bottas to get bigger and bigger as Hamilton is forced into compete mode.

Edited by mattikake on Tuesday 24th September 23:13

Edited by mattikake on Tuesday 24th September 23:14

Unless Mercedes permit Bottas to compete

[Deesee]

DRS zone 2 has been extended by 133m

[thegreenhell]

Bo_apex said:

mattikake said:

If Ferrari keep delivering I expect the gap between Hamilton and Bottas to get bigger and bigger as Hamilton is forced into compete mode.

Unless Mercedes permit Bottas to compete

Even if Leclerc wins every remaining race with fastest lap bonus, Hamilton only needs to finish fifth in every race to retain the WDC. We'd have to have a spectacularly dramatic climax to the season for anyone other than Hamilton to win the title.