2017 Formula 1 VTB Russian Grand PrixFormula 1

[Jimlaad43]

Fastest Lap is already well under the official lap record

 

[[Nor]MclarenF1]

Hamilton not happy out there. Sound like his engine is running a bit hot.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Fastest Lap is already well under the official lap record

Will go faster, since Bottas has just gone purple in sector 1 and 2

EDIT:

There it is. 1:38.706

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

Bottas slowly opening the gap, doesn't mean much at this point but still a good sign for him.

 

[JayOTT]

I want to see Bottas get a win and put himself in the title picture and I want to see him show some emotion when he wins (seriously, wtf was that milk toast reaction to his Bahrain pole?)

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Hamilton just went purple in sector one, so it shouldn't be a massive issue.

 

[[Nor]MclarenF1]

Bottas' Merc definitely has the pace, question is how he'll fair on tire wear. I think Ferrari will come good soon.

 

[Dennisch]

Only one car within drs range.

 

[[Nor]MclarenF1]

Pit wall still on Hamilton about temps.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Well Hamilton is quite fast, but his car is burning up a bit

 

[JayOTT]

Only one car within drs range.

Not looking good for action in this race, at least Melbourne had cars following closely behind one another even if overtaking opportunities were few.

 

[niky]

Wonder what Lewis' issue is?

Setup too stiff for the kerbs on all those 90 degree corners on the back of the lap? He's pretty fast in the first sector...

 

[[Nor]MclarenF1]

I think he has to manage his pace due to the previously mentioned temp issue

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Wonder what Lewis' issue is?

Setup too stiff for the kerbs on all those 90 degree corners on the back of the lap? He's pretty fast in the first sector...

His issue is engine wise, he's had to back off to get clean air and not blow up his engine.

 

[[Nor]MclarenF1]

Kimi looking every good atm. Leaving Lewis behind and slowly catching Vettel.

 

[niky]

His issue is engine wise, he's had to back off to get clean air and not blow up his engine.

That's a given. But even when he was catching Kimi, he was still slower on the back half of the lap.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

That's a given. But even when he was catching Kimi, he was still slower on the back half of the lap.

That's due to the main issue he's had all weekend with balance. His car is just not up to par this GP he needs to accept that bring it home and get solid points.

 

[Demon Drone]

The field is really strung out now.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Vettel is still my pick to win this race, but how cool would it be for Valtteri if he'd win this race!

 

[Jimlaad43]

The field is really strung out now.

It does that around Sochi

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Lewis: My temp is coming back up

Yeah cause you just ran purple in sector one on a car with heating problems

EDIT

Now he goes fastest lap with car on limit of over heating...please have mercy

 

[Milouse]

Can this race become interesting at some point?

Not a single car inside DRS gap for a while...

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

@Bram Turismo would be very cool. Bottas is my favorite for the race. He had strong pace on Friday and Vettel seem to struggle. And Valteri have enough space to enter pit or will have in 1-2 laps and still be ahead of Max.

Also Channel 4 were saying that Mercedes were stronger with super soft than ultra soft. So yeah.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Can this race become interesting at some point?
View attachment 644332

Not a single car inside DRS gap for a while...

Yes, Magnussen will slip in around Kvyat and Stroll after his 5 second penalty.

Ferrari losing time now

 

[[Nor]MclarenF1]

Vettel will pit soon, blistering on the fronts.

 

[GTFan24]

This has been a snoozefest so far.

 

[Peter.]

Gotta say I'm thoroughly enjoying this race. Lots of exciting battles and heaps of overtaking going on, with the beauty of the Sochi parking lot a backdrop for these nail biting battles.

Can't wait to see more of Sochi for many more years to come.

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

Vettel starting to push. Got the gap down under 4.5 sec.

 

[sems4arsenal]

Man 🤬 this race

 

[[Nor]MclarenF1]

Bottas hits traffic