Tensions are rising after the previous battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen ended in an accident. F1 Russian Grand Prix tries to gain clarity in the drivers’ standings, with the Sochi Autodrome set to be the main venue, here are the five outlines for the race weekend.
1. Scuderia Ferrari promises to keep pushing.
Ferrari has confirmed that it will present the updated hybrid system for its Formula One powertrain at this weekend’s F1 Russian Grand Prix and impose a starting penalty on Charles Leclerc. During the summer break, the Scuderia Ferrari has wasted no time and planning a “significant step” by introducing developments for its powertrain. As Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto said the updated power unit planned after the Italian Grand Prix, the novelty therefore comes at the Russian Grand Prix. If the Scuderia Ferrari has the chance of a podium finish, it is only a matter of time. According to the regulations, teams are allowed to make a specification update for each of their components every year.
2. Another of last ones Grand Prix for Sochi.
Since F1 Russian Grand Prix found its place in Sochi in 2014, many Russian and Finnish Formula 1 fans have been able to cheer on Kimi Raikkonen and other drivers. The race has helped to grow the sport in Russia, with thousands of fans making their way to the Black Sea resort every year. The course through the Olympic Winter Park is very difficult to overtake, which makes the race a bit boring. Sochi is not the only city that filled up to get the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia. Next year the Sochi Autodrom will be the last, the relay will go to Igora Drive near St. Petersburg and bring Formula One to a new region of the Russian fan base.
This will be a home race for Nikita Mazepin. Although the favorites are still Sergey Sirotkin and Daniil Kvyat, one of the grandstands at the Sochi Autodorm has been named in honor of Kvyat.
3. The fight is tense everywhere.
We only have eight races left in the 2021 season and the race is getting more intense, the collision between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at Monza was the decisive one, the gap between the fastest Mercedes driver and the Red Bull 33 driver is only five points: Max Verstappen – 226.5, Lewis Hamilton – 221.5. The incident has consequences, Max Verstappen will be fined three grid positions at the start in Russia. Since Silverstone there is still a dispute as to who is to blame, without there being a clear point.
It is clear, however, that Williams will go into the Russian Grand Prix with some good points. In the constructors “standings, the team has no chance of finishing top, but remains eighth. Both drivers have made their contribution in recent weeks when Williams scored the first points since 2019 in Hungary. Sochi will show if they can maintain that form to fight for points for the rest of the season.
4. Musical seat in Alfa Romeo.
Aston Martin has become the latest team to confirm its line-up for the next Formula One season in 2022 by announcing that both Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel will remain as expected. We have two teams with unconfirmed contracts: Haas and Alfa Romeo. No surprises are expected at Haas, they are likely to keep both Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher, but Antonio Giovinazzi’s car is still highly coveted. Alfa Romeo signed a multi-contract with Valtteri Bottas for 2022. Seems that Alpine Junior Guanyu Zhou will get that seat, but Antonio Giovinazzi tries his best to remain in the team. Nick de Vries is anoter younger and talanted candidate. Antonio needs to stay calm and, despite the rumors, give the best of himself at the Russian Grand Prix.
F1 Russian Grand Prix 2021 schedule
| FRIDAY 24th SEPTEMBER | ||
| FIA Formula 3 | Practice Session | 08:55 – 09:40 |
| FIA Formula 2 | Practice Session | 10:05 – 10:50 |
| Formula 1 | First Practice Session | 11:30 -12:30 |
| FIA Formula 3 | Qualifying Session | 13:00 – 13:30 |
| Formula 1 | Press Conference | 13:00 – 14:00 |
| Formula 1 | Second Practice Session | 15:00 – 16:00 |
| FIA Formula 2 | Qualifying Session | 16:25 – 16:55 |
| FIA Formula 3 | Press Conference | 17:25 – 17:55 |
| FIA Formula 2 | Press Conference | 18:00 – 18:30 |
| SATURDAY 25th SEPTEMBER | ||
| FIA Formula 3 | First Race (20 Laps or 40 Mins +1 Lap) | 08:35 – 09:20 |
| Formula 1 | Team Pit Stop Practice | 09:40 – 10:10 |
| FIA Formula 3 | Press Conference | 09:40 – 10:10 |
| FIA Formula 2 | First Race (21 Laps or 45 Mins +1 Lap) | 10:30 – 11:20 |
| FIA Formula 2 | Press Conference | 11:40 – 12:10 |
| Formula 1 | Third Practice Session | 12:00 – 13:00 |
| FIA Formula 3 | Second Race (20 Laps or 40 Mins +1 Lap) | 13:40 – 14:25 |
| Formula 1 | Qualifying Session | 15:00 – 16:00 |
| Formula 1 | Press Conference | 16:00 – 17:00 |
| FIA Formula 2 | Second Race (21 Laps or 45 Mins +1 Lap) | 16:45 – 17:35 |
| FIA Formula 2 | Press Conference | 17:55 – 18:25 |
| FIA Formula 3 | Press Conference | 18:30 – 19:00 |
| SUNDAY 26th SEPTEMBER | ||
| FIA Formula 3 | Third Race (20 Laps or 40 Mins +1 Lap) | 09:55 – 10:40 |
| FIA Formula 2 | Third Race (28 Laps or 60 Mins +1 Lap) | 11:20 – 12:25 |
| FIA Formula 2 | Press Conference | 12:45 – 13:15 |
| Formula 1 | Drivers’ Parade | 13:20 – 13:50 |
| FIA Formula 3 | Press Conference | 13:20 – 13:50 |
| Formula 1 | ‘We Race As One’ Gesture | 14:43 – 14:44 |
| Formula 1 | National Ceremony | 14:44 – 14:46 |
| Formula 1 | Grand Prix (53 Laps or 120 Minutes) | 15:00 – 17:00 |
Sum up
Due to the configuration of the Sochi Autodrome, qualifying will have a decisive influence on the situation, so Max Verstappen is not in the best place. According to all forecasts there will be torrential rain throughout the weekend, which can increase the thrill for both drivers and F1 fans.
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