Shoddy from Ferrari and Kimi again. Bottas picking up the pieces. Redbull not liking this track. Hamilton got reprimanded? And we had Kmag receive a penalty in his dogshite Renault for missing scrutineering. Oh well anything to spice up the title eh FIA. **** qualifying session all in all. Bring on 2017.
Not like two massively long DRS zones are going to work with an amazing Mercedes engine to deliver swift overtakes, oh wait...
I don't think the barriers count as part of "each other", nor are you more likely to hit them because of where you qualify.
Would be nice if the Williams could jump Rosberg and ruin the smug ****ers race. He could end up 40 points clear in the WDC by default at this race, the cocky bastard. Ferraris pace early Friday looked really positive on the soft tyre and therefore if we could get a safety car at the right point in time, Ferrari may have a long shot a threatening (as would Lewis, a good start permitting) But we don't want Rosberg waltzing off unchallenged again.
All depends on the start.. Can Bottas and/or Kimi get the drop on Rosberg? It's a long drag to the second corner.. If Rosberg gets out of corner 2, then the race for the win is over. For a good race, really need Vettel and Hamilton to get a clean first lap, they do that, then the battle for the last two steps on the podium should be a good one. The advantage the Merc's have here is huge, they are by far the quickest cars in the final sector, also nearly the quickest cars down the straights. He (Hamilton) should be able to keep close enough in the final sector and pass down the straights with DRS.. One thing is for certain, with the midfield tightly bunched, there should be some good racing, will need to be, the tyre strategy won't come into effect, with only one pit stop expected.
Someone jumping Rosberg and a mid race safety car (put not near a pit window) is what I'm after. I'm not to demanding. Also, Mercedes have changed Hamilton's turbo, MGU-H, control electronics & energy store. All within his allocation so no penalties. But then his qualifying unit was pretty new and that still went bang. He's certain for end of season PU penalties now.
Just with regards to the Merc advantage here- wasn't t pretty similar in Melbourne in qualifying and then race pace was very nip/tuck. I understand Merc are the only team to have fully maximised an absolute 'quali' engine mode and that's why no one cal live with them for the most part this season. If they hold that sort of advantage on race pace it's going to be pretty dull unless a Williams or Kimi can jump Rosberg.
It seems.... HAM will start 10th as Merc has not made any changes that would trigger a penalty HAM's first V6 has gone back in the car. The tricky bit was flying in and fitting the fuel system upgrade so there is no change of spec If HAM had been forced to run the pre-Sochi fuel system it would be change of spec and thus pit lane start. HAM has new turbo, MGU-H, energy store and control electronics from his season's allocation so no penalties Adam Cooper @adamcooperF1
Had a glimpse at the Sochi weather and there is light rain forecast by 3pm- wonder if it may hit the track before the chequered flag?
"First of all, I'm not going to respond to every lunatic that sends a message. Some of them are abusing the team and abusing members of the team and I would never allow that," Wolff told Sky F1 ahead of the Russian GP. "Number two, the last thing we would do is sabotage Hamilton - he's a great friend to us. He's a lovely person within the team and we feel awful because he's not been able to perform the best and we are letting him down . "We have moved heaven and earth to move parts overnight into Sochi. The engine guys started work at 2am, the chassis guys started at 5am. They are doing their utmost because Lewis is so important to us and we don't want this to happen.
