Formula 1 VTB Russian Grand Prix 2020Formula 1

[Samus]

There's 7 races left. As it stands Bottas is going to wipe out a third of Hamilton's points advantage. It doesn't take much.

He's 55 behind and only gaining by 11. A fifth, not a third.

 

[Blitz24]

He's 55 behind and only gaining by 11. A fifth, not a third.

He might have posted that when he was 5th, not 3rd, but either way....

Dumb question, but if Hamilton reaches 12 points on his license, is it a 1 race suspension?

 

[evldave333]

There's 7 races left. As it stands Bottas is going to wipe out a third of Hamilton's points advantage. It doesn't take much.

Valteri will get 10 or 11 points with fastest lap off a 65 point deficit so its a more like a sixth

 

[PaMu1337]

Dumb question, but if Hamilton reaches 12 points on his license, is it a 1 race suspension?

Correct

 

[Samus]

Well, it wasn't a totally terrible first third but this race has now very much settled into a typical Russian GP.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Bottas is way more than 10 seconds ahead of Lewis, he would have won this race regardless.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

There has to be a better solution, when you can get a 5 second penalty for a small mistake.

Sand pit

 

[C-ZETA]

Still, if you want to watch a good race, the MotoGP starts in half an hour.

 

[PaMu1337]

Bottas is way more than 10 seconds ahead of Lewis, he would have won this race regardless.

Lewis did lose time in traffic, and strategy was changed because of the penalty.

So it would be quite different without the penalty. That being said, Bottas always does well here

 

[ShiftingGears]

Just realised that Sochi is a permanent track.

Really no excuse not to have no astroturf or gravel run-off here, there is ample space at turn 2.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I'll be watching the Michelin Pilot Challenge at Mid-Ohio next.

 

[Samus]

Bottas is way more than 10 seconds ahead of Lewis, he would have won this race regardless.

Bottas had gained about 7 seconds by the time he stopped, on top of the 10s (17 total). Since then it's extended, probably a combination of Lewis losing interest and looking after his tyres.

We'll never really know how the race would've gone without the HAM penalty.

 

[PaMu1337]

He got a penalty point for the first one, second one not yet confirmed

Second penalty point now also confirmed. 10 points total now

 

[Blitz24]

VSC for bollard replacement.

 

[Samus]

GRO again showing how stupid the bollard system was, how was he supposed to make it around them from there, and how does it make any sense?

Utter bollards.

 

[PaMu1337]

GRO again showing how stupid the bollard system was, how was he supposed to make it around them from there, and how does it make any sense?

The fact that they had backups ready to change in a few seconds says enough

 

[Jimlaad43]

Second penalty point now also confirmed. 10 points total now

Where did you find that?

 

[PaMu1337]

Where did you find that?

Dutch commentary has seen the FIA statements

Also available here: https://www.fia.com/documents/season/season-2020-1059

 

[ShiftingGears]

The bollard system is basically asking drivers to not even attempt to race side by side in Turn 1, just commit to running off track as soon as someone is within a metre of your car.

Needs grass or astroturf

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Alright, let's go Gasly.

 

[MagpieRacer]

To be fair to Sochi this hasn't been a bad race. And hasn't needed red flags to me reasonably entertaining.

 

[ShiftingGears]

Terrible racecraft from Albon, Norris just rocketed into the distance thanks to Albon looking for a move that was never on

 

[Blitz24]

To be fair to Sochi this hasn't been a bad race. And hasn't needed red flags to me reasonably entertaining.

Yes, but you are grading on a curve (with bollards near the exit of the curve).

 

[evldave333]

Norris Gasly and Albon is at least offering some entertainment

 

[Samus]

It's just a badly designed corner and always has been. You could put a pool full of sharks on the inside, some drivers would still end up being forced into them on L1 because of how the corner is designed with the squeeze. Then after that people are always going to be on that kerb.

It needs reprofiling to a faster corner without the left kink part. Grass wouldn't make much difference, they would still be going over that kerb and onto the grass.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Yes, but you are grading on a curve (with bollards near the exit of the curve).

Wut?

 

[PaMu1337]

Wut?

Just a pun from him

 

[Blitz24]

Wut?

Sorry, it was a bad pun based on the poor rules used at Turn 2.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Could it be the start of a Valterri Bottas comeback

What is he smoking?

 

[Rangeraus]

To be fair to Sochi this hasn't been a bad race. And hasn't needed red flags to me reasonably entertaining.

Really? Apart from Lewis' penalty it has been pretty ordinary

 

[Jimlaad43]

This has been probably the best ever Russian Grand Prix.

Not that that is much of an accolade. It's like being awarded "least ugly genital wart".

Get this race off the calendar.