Lewis Hamilton for the second time in a row won the Grand Prix of Russia. The Briton is that is the only rider in the world, have won the Russian stage of «Formula 1». However, at the end of the qualification absolute confidence in the victory of the reigning world champion and leader of the season was not.
Prelaunch riders and teams on the track proved to be crumpled Sochi. None of the three training sessions are not held, «just right».
On Friday morning, suddenly found terrible — from ezdivshey night at autodrome watering vehicles ready for the race track, heavy diesel oil flowed.
In such circumstances, to produce racing cars on the track it was impossible. Race organizers urgently threw all their forces to eliminate the consequences of the night of the incident, but the first training session had to be cut to thirty minutes. But even after leaving the track after cleaning riders constantly complained on slippery surfaces — really work failed.
The second workout Friday turned out to be just as useless — before the start of the races over the motor racing track began to rain. Throughout the session, the track remained wet, so to speak of the normal operation was impossible. Engage rain settings command did not — on Sunday, forecasters promised dry weather and spend time on it was pointless.
Comments riders at the end of the first two free practice sessions and press releases on the results of Friday's commands were written as if from the same script: «In the morning the track was covered with diesel fuel, all flooded with water during the day, but tomorrow we hope to work and prepare for the race.»
And really — Saturday diesel fuel on the track was missing, it was not raining, trips to your health. But unfortunately for many participants, the third session lasted only 35 minutes and was stopped by red flags due to an accident of Carlos Sainz Junior.
On braking before the turn by «happy» number 13 Spaniard's car suddenly jerked to the left, caught bump, lost the front wheel at high speed flew off the road and crashed into a protective barrier. The interval between the accident and the time of loading drivers onto the stretcher was quite long — all those who watched the developments pretty worried. Fortunately, the driver escaped with slight shock and even went out at the start of Sunday's race.
Qualifying races as last year took place in a rather unusual format. Participants passed not one but several fastest laps. Otherwise, the bus did not have time to warm up and not go on operating mode.
Unfortunately, because of this unusual Russian Daniil Kvyat format did not get into the final part of qualifying. He showed 11th time, becoming the «best of the rest.» On lap ufimets was in traffic, with the result that the tires of his Red Bull is not warmed up to the desired level, and Danya was unable to show a good result.
At the end of the qualifying rounds pole position won the pilot Mercedes Nico Rosberg. His teammate and main contender for the title this year, Lewis Hamilton showed the second time, losing to the German three-tenths of a second — not so little.
The British decided not to postpone the battle for the lead in the closet and went on the attack on Rosberg's position right from the start, but the Germans did not give in and Lewis remained second.
But who started fifth Kimi Raikkonen managed to get ahead of time, and his Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel and his countryman Valtteri Bottas from Williams. From the fifth to third place right at the start — bravo, Kimi!
But far more viewers, which during the race on the track in Sochi, has gathered more than 60 thousand people, Daniil Kvyat pleased breakthrough — the pilot of Red Bull Racing from 11th position at the start soared to seventh place.
Unfortunately, the struggle for victory over already on the seventh lap. Nico had problems with the gas pedal, he dropped the pace, began to miss one opponent after another, and then completely rolled into the pits and went down...
At the 12th round of the Sochi track again reminded drivers about his character. Romain Grosjean has not kept his Lotus and hit a bump. Fortunately — as in the case of Sainz Jr. — driver in the accident was not injured.
On the track I left the safety car and part of the pilots went into the pits. Among those who stayed on the track, and Daniil Kvyat has appeared — it was a mistake that made a strategy for Red Bull Racing.
Further struggle bore a local character. Sebastian Vettel «doge» of his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and came in second place. Carlos Sainz was the second accident for the weekend — brake his Toro Rosso on fire, the car went off the road.
Daniel Ricardo parked his car on the side of the road — the cause of failure was the descent of the suspension.
A 53-lap began the chain of events that eventually led to the early conquest team of Mercedes title in the competition of manufacturers. Ranked third Sergio Perez could not hold the position and passed forward Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen. However, the Finns continued to fight each other and the final (!) Round encounter!
Ferrari driver hit his counterpart from Williams in the back of the car, which led to the latter immediately. Himself Raikkonen continued the race, but his car was damaged and again missed Kimi ahead of the same Peres.
Pilot Force India drove his car to the finish line and took a well-deserved third place. Raikkonen also skipped ahead and Felipe Massa and became only the fifth.
Victory in the race Lewis Hamilton won, Vettel finished second.
Such an alignment would not allow Mercedes ahead to win the title in the team standings, but after the finish judge conducted an investigation of the collision Raikkonen Bottas and then «reward» Kimi poluminutnoy penalization, dropped him to eighth place. This has led to that Mercedes won the title of champion.
The next phase of «Formula-1» will be held in two weeks in the United States on the road in Austin.
