2021 Formula One Russian Grand Prix: Race preview

The 15th round of the 22-race calendar is being held this weekend in Sochi for the 2021 Formula One Russian Grand Prix.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen heads into this weekend five points clear of reigning Formula One champion, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-AMG). Verstappen will take a three-place grid penalty after colliding with Hamilton in Monza – the stewards finding him to blame.

In last year’s race Valtteri Bottas finished ahead of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes holds the advantage at Sochi having won every race held at the circuit since its inception in 2014.

In F1 news this week, Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo is still relishing over his sensational victory at Monza, while the grid is almost set for 2022 with Haas drivers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin receiving their contract extensions. A seat alongside Valtteri Bottas at Alfa Romeo becomes the final free spot on next year’s grid.

The forecast in predicting plenty of rain this weekend, mainly for qualifying on Saturday, but it is expected to settle prior to the race on Sunday.

The Russian Grand Prix will run over 53 laps around the 5.848km circuit. The lap record is held by Lewis Hamilton, set in 2019 (with a time of 1:35.761).

Mercedes has won all seven Russian Grands Prix of the modern era.

Ferrari is the only team other than Mercedes to have taken pole position here – this covers both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc.

There has been a Russian driver present at every running of the Russian Grand Prix thus far.

At 5.848km in length, this track is the fourth longest on the F1 calendar.

With Mercedes dominant at this track and Verstappen having to take the grid penalty, this could be Hamilton’s chance to chalk up his 100th F1 race victory.

Watch out for Valtteri Bottas too, who was victorious last year and will be looking to bridge the gap to Lando Norris (McLaren) in the drivers’ championship.

Max Verstappen may be starting further down the grid this weekend but you can never discount the Flying Dutchman or the power of the Red Bull. If the racing strategy and everything else goes to plan, we may still see him on a podium.

Look out for his teammate in Sergio Perez, who finished fourth here last year and has been showing signs of brilliance, but still only sits in fifth in the championship.

Could it even be a back-to back win for our Aussie, Dan Ricciardo? We don’t see why not. He’ll be coming into Sochi with plenty of momentum after the big Monza win, preceded by a strong fifth-placed result in a Renault in 2020.

Who will come out of this one leading the championship?