Categories: FeatureFeatures

Chris Medland’s Russian Grand Prix preview

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Formula One returns for the second instalment of the Russian Grand Prix with a familiar scenario as a dominant Mercedes can wrap up the constructors’ title once again in Sochi. While last year saw the championship secured with three rounds remaining, 2015 could see Mercedes go one better due to the addition of Mexico to the calendar. Three points more than Ferrari is all the team needs to secure back-to-back titles, and Lewis Hamilton will also be looking to move a big step closer to his third drivers’ championship. Victory in Russia will open up the possibility of Hamilton becoming champion in Austin, but Mercedes is wary of a Singapore repeat on another street circuit with the same tyre compounds…

FORM GUIDE

Mercedes did bounce back from its Singapore nightmare with a one-two in Japan, but Nico Rosberg was pushed hard by Sebastian Vettel as Ferrari showed it is still closing the gap. Singapore is somewhat similar to Sochi in terms of layout and with Pirelli supplying the soft and supersoft tyres in order to avoid a repeat of last year’s dull one-stop race, Mercedes will need to be on its toes. Two long straights - between the final corner and Turn 2 as well as from Turn 11 to 14 - are likely to hurt Red Bull and McLaren, but the former has shown it can be quick on the majority of tracks when it has a clean weekend. Williams was more competitive in Japan and was Mercedes’ nearest challenger in Russia 12 months ago, while a resurgent Force India will look to continue its run of scoring points in every race since the summer break.

2014 RESULT

Pole position: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 1:38.513

Top three: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), Valtteri Bottas (Williams)

Fastest lap: Valtteri Bottas (Williams), 1:40.896

SESSION TIMES (All times local)

FP1: 10:00 - 11:30

FP2: 14:00 - 15:30

FP3: 12:00 - 13:00

Qualifying: 15:00 - 16:00

Race: 1400

TYRE CHOICES

WEATHER FORECAST

With Sochi on a similar latitude as Monaco, it enjoys a largely mediterranean climate. However, this weekend is set to see unsettled weather and cool temperatures, with the biggest threat of rain currently on Friday during FP2. Track temperatures are likely to be low throughout the weekend, which will make it difficult for the teams to perfect their set-ups on a circuit which offered very low grip throughout last year’s event.

PODIUM PREDICTION

1st - Sebastian Vettel

2nd - Lewis Hamilton

3rd - Kimi Raikkonen

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.