Official 2020 Russian Grand Prix Thread **SPOILERS**
Discussion
Round 10 and we’re in Russia. Merc 1-2 last year and nothing suggests it will be any different this year. Still, will be good to see if Renault can carry on the improvement, if Albon can build on his well deserved podium last time out and whether we will have the usual awkward appearance from Putin. Softer tyre options for Russia, so that could spice it up a bit.
Note early race start on Sunday.
Date(s): Friday 25 September 2020 - Sunday 27 September 2020
UK Broadcast Timings (and local time)
All sessions are live on Sky F1; race and qualifying highlights are shown 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:
https://weather.com/en-GB/weather/today/l/43.58,39...
Tyre options:
2019 Race Result:
2019 race highlights:
https://youtu.be/47Pn2bII_sg
Note early race start on Sunday.
Date(s): Friday 25 September 2020 - Sunday 27 September 2020
UK Broadcast Timings (and local time)
All sessions are live on Sky F1; race and qualifying highlights are shown 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:
https://weather.com/en-GB/weather/today/l/43.58,39...
Tyre options:
2019 Race Result:
2019 race highlights:
https://youtu.be/47Pn2bII_sg
Edited by Piginapoke on Saturday 19th September 06:46
Always look forward to any race weekend but I'm sure I'm not the only one who isn't massively excited by this compared to the back to back races we've had in Europe so far 
Especially after the weirdness that was Mugello...
It is what it is. Another Russian GP in which we all politely forget they're basically annexing Syria
doubt Putin will show this time - he clearly thinks he is god eternal so probably doesn't want to risk a nasty bout of flu.
Especially after the weirdness that was Mugello...
It is what it is. Another Russian GP in which we all politely forget they're basically annexing Syria
doubt Putin will show this time - he clearly thinks he is god eternal so probably doesn't want to risk a nasty bout of flu.Flooble said:
Steamer said:
30,000
I was trying to check yesterday if that was still the case... what with all our new semi-lock down rules.
No I meant after hearing about the proposals we are facing I was looking to see if Russia were still having the F1 fans next weekend I was trying to check yesterday if that was still the case... what with all our new semi-lock down rules.
Russia are doing lockdown stuff too?
I (strangely) like this track (well apart from the bland surroundings of the Olympic Park), Ive always felt the cars have not been "quick" enough to get the most out of this track, and that in the future the cars would "grow' into this track, rather than get too quick for a track and out grow it.
I hope Merc can pull off a flawless quali lap smash the sectors and somewhat prove me right..as this will be the last time we see a car as quick as this for several years here.
A Step softer on the tyres this year from last too, although tyre deg has never been a large concern here.
Racing Point and Red Bull should be battling over the 2nd row, although Red Bull should have the advantage in the slower sector 3.
Lance has picked up a impressive number of top ten finishes this year as well as a podium, he's a man very much in form in the midfield.
& with the recent re introduction of the red flag, followed by the standing start, we might see a few low fuel launches in FP1/FP2, rather than full fuel load practice launches, this caught out more than a few drivers last week on the restarts.
I hope Merc can pull off a flawless quali lap smash the sectors and somewhat prove me right..as this will be the last time we see a car as quick as this for several years here.
A Step softer on the tyres this year from last too, although tyre deg has never been a large concern here.
Racing Point and Red Bull should be battling over the 2nd row, although Red Bull should have the advantage in the slower sector 3.
Lance has picked up a impressive number of top ten finishes this year as well as a podium, he's a man very much in form in the midfield.
& with the recent re introduction of the red flag, followed by the standing start, we might see a few low fuel launches in FP1/FP2, rather than full fuel load practice launches, this caught out more than a few drivers last week on the restarts.
Bottas does tend to go well here, especially with no Ferraris to fight. 8 races to go? And 55 points to make up.
At this point Bottas needs to essentially win all the remaining races (200 points) with Hamilton coming in second or below (144 points)
The point for fastest lap muddies it a tad as there is a theoretical maximum of 208 points available, so if Bottas scored fastest lap at every race and "only" won 7 of the 8, coming in second in the other, he would be on 175 + 8 + 18 = 201 points. Which gives him a tiny bit of wriggle room, provided it isn't Hamilton who wins the "other" race.
Obviously there is always the potential for Hamilton to have some DNFs or generally lousy races, however, if I have worked it out correctly, this is the last race at which Bottas' destiny will be entirely in his own hands - i.e. he can win the championship regardless of what Hamilton does?
If the gap remains the same after Sochi, then even winning every remaining race (175 points) with Hamilton 2nd (126 points) would not be enough to close the gap; although winning and scoring fastest lap at every remaining race (182 points) would be just enough.
At this point Bottas needs to essentially win all the remaining races (200 points) with Hamilton coming in second or below (144 points)
The point for fastest lap muddies it a tad as there is a theoretical maximum of 208 points available, so if Bottas scored fastest lap at every race and "only" won 7 of the 8, coming in second in the other, he would be on 175 + 8 + 18 = 201 points. Which gives him a tiny bit of wriggle room, provided it isn't Hamilton who wins the "other" race.
Obviously there is always the potential for Hamilton to have some DNFs or generally lousy races, however, if I have worked it out correctly, this is the last race at which Bottas' destiny will be entirely in his own hands - i.e. he can win the championship regardless of what Hamilton does?
If the gap remains the same after Sochi, then even winning every remaining race (175 points) with Hamilton 2nd (126 points) would not be enough to close the gap; although winning and scoring fastest lap at every remaining race (182 points) would be just enough.
Piginapoke said:
TheDeuce said:
Another Russian GP in which we all politely forget they're basically annexing Syria
You need to brush up on your geography Deuce!Lovely chap Putin - was my point
Flooble said:
We have to try and think that there is still a championship, until the point where it's mathematically impossible.
Although to be fair, the TV Directors do seem to have got better at showing us the "Formula 1.5" championship battles instead.
There's a championship for third and for 'not last'... Which sounds like it shouldn't matter but given the difference in performance up and down the grid, third in the WCC is actually a pretty big deal these days. Most manufacturers would love to take the championship of course but would also be pretty chuffed with third. I'm sure Renault would love third and probably never truly expected to get higher this era.Although to be fair, the TV Directors do seem to have got better at showing us the "Formula 1.5" championship battles instead.
Along with hugely enjoying the midfield racing this season, I'm pretty excited to see who clinches third. There's plenty of drama in the fact multiple teams could, and are desperate to.
Piginapoke said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Hamilton's got the hex on him now to equal Schumi's record too, he'll want to do it of course despite any claims otherwise. That little bit of extra pressure is the only hope Bottas has.
Bottas has zero hope, which is just how Merc like it Lew-Lew is the one who helps rep the brand and helps sell the road cars.
B-grade Bottas needs to find his mojo and fast otherwise this 2020 beating will torment him for the rest of his life.
The Moose said:
In my view, the biggest risk in Hamilton’s championship is him contracting Covid
He could just about afford that in terms of points... And would probably claw it back even if he did slip back.Statistically a single F1 driver getting it in the space of this season was slim however, two would be highly unexpected given the control most are exercising over their travel and mingling.
TheDeuce said:
Piginapoke said:
TheDeuce said:
Another Russian GP in which we all politely forget they're basically annexing Syria
You need to brush up on your geography Deuce!Lovely chap Putin - was my point
Regarding the threat of Hamilton catching Covid and that opening up the Championship, it's a very good point. There's one more double-header that could see the lead eliminated if Bottas does what you would expect him to do; Portugal/Italy. There's also a triple header in Bahrain x 2 and Abu Dhabi. I suppose it's just possible he could miss all three of the final triple-header with a particularly badly timed test result. I'd be quite worried about people shouting "conspiracy" though. It would certainly be messy.
Realistically though I think I'll be mostly watching the Formula 1.5.
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