2015 Russian Grand Prix - Sochi, October 09-11

[F1NAC]

Don't know if anyone posted, but I wouldn't like rain on sunday like today. This photo was taken around 3.45 pm GP3

[Jordan44]

I expect a good race, soft range of Pirelli and a circuit that fits a little Ferrari, so it might be a little close to Mercedes, here are a summary of what was the weekend in Russia 2014 https://youtu.be/Xx7JJTwfuxE

I expect Williams to be the closest Mercedes challenger. They certainly were last year. Merc only beat them by 3 tenths with Bottas making a mistake at the final corner.

[drunkf1fan]

I expect a good race, soft range of Pirelli and a circuit that fits a little Ferrari, so it might be a little close to Mercedes, here are a summary of what was the weekend in Russia 2014 https://youtu.be/Xx7JJTwfuxE

I expect Williams to be the closest Mercedes challenger. They certainly were last year. Merc only beat them by 3 tenths with Bottas making a mistake at the final corner.

From what I recall of last year it wasn't so much a 3/10th gap as the cars being tire limited. Bottas pushed harder in one of the first sections and had less in his tires by the end. The cars couldn't go flat out all lap or they lost grip by the end. So gap could have been bigger just less grip to extract. That is before you consider that Merc will be on their newer faster engine and Williams won't. I'd be surprised if the gap was that small this year, very surprised, assuming it's dry and they don't completely screw up the car setup. If it rains anything goes.

[drunkf1fan]

Verstappen was told a few minutes earlier they will "probably need the tyres for Sunday"

Yes, it seems that there is a chance of some showers during the race. That could be great!!!

I second what it has been said about Alonso, he should remain silent...

ALonso seems to be forgetting that regardless of how actually fast Mclaren or Manor are, if Mclaren continue to display the current level of reliability(which with new engine parts and insignificant testing they have in the lab seems fairly likely) then a reliable Manor actually on the same lap could start picking up points and becoming a real threat. I think honda will gain speed but without reliability it might not move them forward at all. While Manor with a serious pace increase can get those random ridiculous 5th place finishes in Hungary.

The current Manor is 5 seconds a lap off Mercedes, which puts them what 3 seconds a lap off guys who occasionally finish from say 7-10th. This years merc is easily 2 seconds faster a lap than last years crap Ferrari engine which people forget Manor are using. Next years Mercedes vs last years Ferrari even in a crap chassis is going to be one hell of a leap. Taking some parts from Williams will also help in terms of applying the power to the track. They also spent as little as possible on this years chassis because of their situation. I'm by no means expecting miracles next year, but I think with a tiny bit of money there is certainly some low hanging fruit for Manor to go after.

As above, I don't think they are going to be fast, but they might be just fast enough to pick up points when the race has a lot of random things going on. I'd maybe put money, a very small amount, on Manor picking up some points and not looking quite as bad as they have in previous seasons, but still being in a fight at the very back in most races. 2 top 10 finishes and finishing one lap down rather than 3 laps down in the rest.

[AnthonyG]

https://twitter.com/ManorF1Team/status/ ... 7015730176

[godlameroso]

It's looking like it will be cool and dry for the rest of the weekend, I'd love it if the race was light rain.

[Phil]

For those interested, P2 is being broadcast right now on BBCTwo - followed by P3 at 1100 (CEST) - in 36 minutes.

[djos]

And P3 is on NBC sports extra streaming channel right now, no commentary so far tho.

[Phil]

Sainz heavy impact into the barriers. Red Flag with 23 minutes to go... hope he's alright.

[SpainFAN]

hope carlos is OK

[Sniffit]

Yea, it looks like a real big one. I hope that he is ok.

Doesn't look like he had any brakes :/

Edit: Thumbs up, good. Just hope that there isn't any internal injuries.

[F1NAC]

GP3 Cancelled

[Sevach]

Gary Anderson blaming low noses for the car going under the barrier.

[turbof1]

I sincerely hope and might actually believe that the barriers got launched over the nose and going over his head, not hitting it.

@Sevach: yes, he's correct about that. The suspension and front wing broke when Carlos hit the previous barrier, which lowered the nose tip completely to the ground. It then burrowed itself underneath the barrier.

[Javert]

Gary Anderson blaming low noses for the car going under the barrier.

High noses means actually more safety and performance, I bet they'll back in 2017