F1 Russian GP talking points: Heavy rain threatens another washout
Heavy rain threatens another washout
According to the current weather foreꦕcast, heavy rain threatens to curtail this ♏weekend’s Russian Grand Prix.
Rain is forecast on the th𒁃ree 🦩days of running, while there’s currently a 100 per cent chance of rain on Saturday.
The Belgian Grand Prix was ultimately reduced to jus𝓀t two laps behind the Safety Car before a result was declared - hopefully F1 and the FIA have learnt from this.
— Carlin (@CarlinRacing)
At least🌟 the 🐽sky is pretty even if the paddock is a tad flooded
For t▨he first time in 2021, F2 and F3 are also in action at the same weekend as F1, so it will be fascinating to see whether all the races go ahead as planned.
Will Verstappen take a new power unit?
This weekend could be when Red Bull decides to give Verstappen a fresh power un💞i💧t.
The Dutchman h🌄as a three-place grid 🦹penalty to serve for his role in the incident with Hamilton at Monza, and we’ve seen in the past that it is possible to get through the field at the Sochi Autodrom.
Verstappen went from the back of the grid to finish fifth in 20꧒18, while Alexander Albon enjoyed a similar recovery a year later.
With Mercedes likely to hold a significant performance advantage anyway, it could be✃ the right time for Red Bull.
Mercedes the favourites
Mercedes has a faultless record in Russia, winning every race sin🍸ce it was introduced to the calendar back in 2014.
Oꩵther than in 2019, Mercedes has often held a significant performance advantage over its rivals.
Hamilton has won in Russia four times, while Valtteri Bottas claimed his maiden win at Sochi ꦛin 2017 before taking a second victory in 2020.
Sergio Perez believes Mercedes will💝 be “hard to beat”, and given recent history, it is a fair comment to make.
The battle behind
McLaren’s 1-2 finish at the Italian Grand Prix moved it ahead of Ferrari in th⛎e race for third in the constructors’ championship.
The battle between two of F1 legendary constructors has ebbed and flowed all season, but wh🐎o will hold the balance of power in Russia?
The first sector will suit McLaren given its straight-line high-speed advantage, while Ferrari will thrive 𓄧in the final two-thirds of the lap.
Lando Norris has been brill🐻iant in wet conditions in 2021 - without his crash at Sp🍸a in Q3, he’d likely have taken pole position.
Sochi heads towards the exit door
This weekend🎶’s Russian GP will be the pen🅠ultimate race at the Sochi Autodrom before it's moved to the Autodrome Igora Drive, north of St. Petersburg from 2023.
Making its debut ꦛin 2014, the races have often been une♑ventful, making it not a fan favourite among fans.
The tight, twisty section which ends the lap🧔 means it is difficult to follow before the long, start-finish straight.
The track surface▨ is incredibꦰly smooth meaning tyre degradation is never a factor.
Not many peopl🧸e will miss Sochi besides a certain Finnish Mercedes driver.
With a sharp 🌌eye for F1’s controversies and storylines, Connor is the heartbeat of our unbiased reporting.
