805 replies to this topic

[Marklar]

Race day in Sotchi....and hopefully these two guys below will be proven wrong....
 

Considering that the Mercedes concerns after the Singapore disaster were quite big for this weekend, as many circumstances were similar to Singapore, the qualifing was quite an surprise considering the eventual big gap to the rest of the field. And that wasn't the only surprise: Nico Rosberg is for the second time in a row on pole - completely on merrit beeing the clearly faster guy, the gap in the end to his team mate: 0.320 seconds. Sotchi is the most engine demanding circuit of the last 5 races on the race calendar which is also reflecting into the timesheets as 6 Mercedes powered teams made it into the top 8. For this reason everyone who was allowed to change their engine without a penalty tooked this opportunity. But what would be a F1 race weekend without engine penaltys? So Fernando Alonsos gift for his 250th GP was a 35 place grid penalty. His fellow country man Roberto Merhi also got a grid penalty and moved one place ahead...Carlos Sainz start after his horrific incident during the final practice got already the permission of the race stewards, anything else will be decided by the medical staff.

 

After the uneventfull inaugural run a race with more action due to high rear degredation is expected. Nevertheless the start with the longest way into the first braking zone of the whole race calendar might be one key point. Especially regarding the fight for the win where Rosberg is under pressure to finally cut the gap since the championship decider could be already in the next race. In the following everything you need to know about this years Russian GP....
 
Starting Grid

• Rosberg
• Hamilton
• Bottas
• Vettel
• Raikkonen
• Hulkenberg
• Perez
• Grosjean
• Verstappen
• Ricciardo
• Kvyat
• Nasr
• Button
• Maldonado
• Massa
• Ericsson
• Stevens
• Merhi
• Alonso
• Sainz

 

Circuit

Race facts
Track length: 5.848 km
Laps: 53
Total distance: 309.745 km
Lap record: 1:40.896 - Valtteri Bottas (2014, Williams)
Distance pole to turn 1: 450 m
Distance pole to first braking point: 1029 m
Percentage of straigths: 34 %
Tyre wear: low
Fuel consumption: high
Brake wear: medium
Downforce level: high
Safety car probability: relatively high, due to the lack of fast recovery possibilities
Pit stop window: 30 seconds
Full throotle: 55 %
Braking: 10 %
Braking zones: 11
Winner inaugural race in 2014: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, from pole)
 
Pirelli
- Tyres: super soft/soft
- Tyre pressures: 21.5 PSI front/20.5 PSI rear ((2014: 19,0/18,0)
- Strategy predictor: super soft - soft (18-22); uncertaincy due to lack of running, 2 stopper may be considered especially if it should be warmer
 
Weather forecast (Ubimet): On Sunday, Sochi will still be under the influence of high pressure ahead of the next approaching system.  There could be some low clouds present in the morning, and a few higher clouds moving in during the afternoon.  Overall, we expect a partly sunny and dry day, with a light, southeasterly wind and a high temperature reaching 19 degrees.
 
Top speeds

• Massa 334.6
• Bottas 334.5
• Grosjean 332.8
• Maldonado 332.2
• Vettel 331.2
• Raikkonen 330.8
• Rosberg 330.4
• Hamilton 329.9
• Nasr 327.3
• Perez 327.0
• Verstappen 326.9
• Hulkenberg 326.5
• Ericsson 325.9
• Kvyat 323.9
• Ricciardo 323.8
• Alonso 322.0
• Button 319.4
• Stevens 315.6
• Merhi 313.6

 

FP3 Longruns
 
SOFT
Vettel 43.820 (8 laps)
Grosjean 43.825 (8 laps)
Hamilton 43.848 (6 laps)
Rosberg 43.850 (6 laps)
Hulkenberg 44.400 (8 laps)
Verstappen 44.501 (12 laps)
Perez 44.661 (8 laps)
Alonso 45.314 (5 laps)
Nasr 45.371 (7 laps)
Button 45.450 (5 laps)
 
SUPER SOFT
Raikkonen 43.824 (7 laps)
Sainz 44.271 (13 laps)
Ricciardo 44.400 (10 laps)
Maldonado 44.516 (8 laps)
Kvyat 45.195 (8 laps)
Ericsson 45.312 (9 laps)
 
Possible championship decisions
- if Mercedes is scoring 3 points more than Ferrari during this race than they would already claim the WCC trophy
- If Rosberg is not losing out more than 9 points to Raikkonen and not more than 17 points to Bottas than he is already standing firm for the Prize Giving Gala
- If Vettel is scoring two more points than Raikkonen and not losing out more than 6 points to Bottas and 20 points to Massa than the same applies to him
 
Schedule (local time GMT+3)
09:00-09:35 GP3 1st race
10:05-10:50 GP2
11:30-12:05 GP3 2nd race
12:10-13:20 Paddock Pitlane Walk
12:30 Drivers Track Parade
12:45-13:15 Starting Grid Presentation
13:46 National anthem
14:00 F1 race (12:00 BST)
 
Live timing
http://www.formula1....tml#leaderboard
 
Live chat
https://kiwiirc.com/...rt.com/atlasf1/

Edited by Marklar, 10 October 2015 - 21:43.

[Nonesuch]

Hülkenberg and Pérez will be keen to make the most of their starting positions. They're ahead of Grosjean and Verstappen, but more crucially, the teammates of these two are back down in 16th and 20th. As I pointed out in my Final Five Races thread the battle for 5th in the WCC is quite tight. Hopefully they can make a good race of it.

 

Räikkönen vs. Bottas will also be interesting as these two are quite close in the championship as well.

[fridge46]

The biggest question for me tomorrow is - make lunch before or after the race

[Doughnut King]

Got to remember it's at 12PM not 1PM.

[fridge46]

Got to remember it's at 12PM not 1PM.

 

Thats exactly my dilemma!!! I usually eat my lunch during the GP (start preparing it at 12:15ish), but tucking into lunch before noon seems wrong!! haha

 

How long was last years GP? 90-100 mins?

[Jimisgod]

I'm going to watch the 1st lap to see if Maldo causes a pile up and then probably sleep.

[David Lightman]

It can't possibly be as boring as practice and qualifying have been, surely??

[Radion]

I think Rosberg will win the race in the tier 1 category.

Tier 2 is going to be more exciting I reckon. A scrap between Bott, Vett and Rai for the win that most likely will not be decided after the first corner.

Edited by Radion, 11 October 2015 - 07:39.

[Hellenic tifosi]

I think that in terms of race pace Vettel should finish ahead of Bottas.

[Nonesuch]

... A scrap between Bott, Vett and Rai for the win that most likely will not be decided after the first corner.

 

Speaking of which, let's hope the F1 drivers can do a better job than the pretenders in GP2 at keeping the car on the track through that corner.

 

The run to T1 is very long indeed; that should be extremely costly for those who make a mess of the start.

Edited by Nonesuch, 11 October 2015 - 09:13.

[Marklar]

Sainz clear to race

 

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/121276

[RubalSher]

Hamilton on either of the top two steps of the podium would do just fine

[RubalSher]

If Nico finishes ahead of Lewis, then the title cannot be wrapped up any earlier than Mexico. If Lewis finishes ahead and at least P8, then he can win the title in USA.

 

P.S. This assumes Vettel wont be in contention either.

[Ev0d3vil]

Flavio wants Fred and LH in the same team.

[Jimisgod]

Flavio wants Fred and LH in the same team.

 

 

Didn't he hear Lauda? All you need is Lewis "driving God" Hamilton and Rosberg...

[topical]

Race starts at usual time, right? 2pm CET?

[Giz]

Is anyone else's sound on sky uk a bit stuttery / jumpy?

[Button4life]

Button is a pretty good rally driver. Maybe he'll join that class after F1.

[sportyskells]

no race starts at 1.00pm cet your time as race starts at 12.00pm BST my side

Edited by sportyskells, 11 October 2015 - 10:34.

[Lights]

I'm usually less gloomy, but the prospect of this 1 stop race between concrete walls doesn't excite me very much.

[Giz]

Race starts at usual time, right? 2pm CET?

1pm cet

[Jordan44]

Is anyone else's sound on sky uk a bit stuttery / jumpy?

Nope. Mine is good.

[Lights]

Race starts in 25 minutes.

[Giz]

Exciting!

[Timstr11]

Confirmed. More Pirelli crap to endure for the next 4 years.

Edited by Timstr11, 11 October 2015 - 10:45.

[Button4life]

Confirmed. More Pirelli crap to endure for the next 3 years.

I actually like them more than Bridgestone and Michelin

Edited by Button4life, 11 October 2015 - 10:41.

[Giz]

In an alternative universe there is an autosport forum full of people moaning about rock hard Bridgestone tyres....

[bsoares]

Lauda: "If Lewis is second he wants to attack. If the other guy is second he wants to attack"

 

When questioned why he was excited about the race start.

[TomNokoe]

Sainz will score 1 world championship point.

[topical]

Hey guys thanks for the timing update! so starts an hour earlier than usual, i presume because of the time difference? would've tuned in an hour too late otherwise

[CHIUNDA]

Bernie: Let's hope we have a good race = Martin, shove off! Can't you see I am busy making money here? 

[jannyg]

Bernie: Let's hope we have a good race = Martin, shove off! Can't you see I am busy making money here?

Lol yeah saw that. Brundle asking too many questions

[Button4life]

Is Putin at the race track like last year?

[Jordan44]

Is Putin at the race track like last year?

I assume not yet. Otherwise we would have seen him a hundred times already.

He was late last year

[Paincake]

Is Putin at the race track like last year?

Doubt it. He was last year because it was the opening of Sochi circuit. This year, theres no point for him to be there. Buut, hes an ultimate badass, I would of course not mind it hehe.

[Pete_f1]

I expect he's pumping iron in a non gay kind of way

[Jovanotti]

Ooh, the crook arrives. Luckily already now, so we won't have to cut away from the race this time.

[superdelphinus]

Alonso and those mclaren staff look like proper bellends with those samurai things in their heads

[Paincake]

If its an incident free and dry race, then for sure tyre managment will play a role. Usually Lewis is good in that regard, so I expect a good old 2014 style race lead by Nico at the beginning, but then Lewis closing in more and more. Well, thats what I hope to see anyway. Lewis vs Vettel is a big possibility as well, we still haven't really seen a direct battle this season have we? And sorry Bottas fans, I don't expect much tbh, perhaps if it was Massa.  

[Ev0d3vil]

Putin has arrived !

[Giz]

Tune

[FredF1]

Alonso and those mclaren staff look like proper bellends with those samurai things in their heads

 

Reminded me of the Russian roulette scene in The Deerhunter. Which is apt given the Honda's tendency to go bang when you least expect it. 

[Button4life]

It was a dominant display from Rosberg indeed.

[TomNokoe]

Come on Formula 1, be good today

[sulgpallur]

Is Rosberg on new or old spec engine?

[Giz]

I don't think those ss tyres will help button stay in front but you never know

[superdelphinus]

Is the picture on sky actually hd? Looks blurrier than usual

[Diablobb81]

Oh, look : the dictator and Putin.

[Jordan44]

Is Rosberg on new or old spec engine?

His fourth and final new spec engine which has been used since Belgium.

Edited by Jordan44, 11 October 2015 - 11:02.

[CHIUNDA]

Is Putin at the race track like last year?

Just walking in now