Russian Grand Prix: Key Facts

After a long absence from the F1 calendar, the Russian Grand Prix has been held in Sochi since 2014. It has seen Mercedes easily dominate the competition. Let’s review some key facts.

Mercedes, first world constructors’ championship title

The first edition of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi in 2014 will remain in memory. It takes place a week after the serious accident of Jules Bianchi at Suzuka. Before the start, the drivers had gathered in support of the French driver, who was still in a coma. But it also sees the first world constructor championship title won by Mercedes.

Calm throughout the race, Lewis Hamilton then won the race, ahead of his teammate Nico Rosberg who was struggling. The latter, forced to change his tires at the end of the first lap, made an exceptional comeback, ultimately placing him in second position. With a one-two finish, Mercedes won its first world championship title.

A penalty for Räikkönen secures the title for Mercedes

The following year, Hamilton achieved the back-to-back by once again winning the Russian Grand Prix. With Rosberg’s retirement, he was slowly but surely approaching a third world title. But the most interesting part was happening for the last step of the podium. While Valtteri Bottas was going to finish in third place, Kimi Räikkönen collided with his compatriot, causing Bottas to retire. Taking advantage of the confusion and the damage caused by the accident, Sergio Perez overtook Räikkönen to finish in third place.

After the race, the Ferrari driver was found responsible for the collision and received a time penalty that pushed him back in the rankings. This penalty allowed Mercedes to win a second consecutive world constructors’ title.

Bottas, faster than the Ferraris

In 2017, Ferrari made a big move by securing the front row on the starting grid. But in this Grand Prix, everything did not go as planned for the Scuderia. While Sebastian Vettel, in the lead, had a good start, Bottas was the fastest and overtook the two Ferraris. Räikkönen struggled a bit to get going and saw Lewis Hamilton alongside him. In the confusion, Bottas took the lead of the race at the first corner. That day, nothing could disturb the new Mercedes driver. The top three positions remained unchanged. He won his first Formula 1 Grand Prix of his career, in his first season with the German team.

A double penalty for Hamilton

In search of his 91st victory to equal Michael Schumacher’s record, Hamilton secured pole position in this 2020 edition. However, the British driver then received a double five-second penalty. He had performed a start procedure outside the authorized area. A position deemed dangerous by the sporting commissioners. Yet, the driver had asked for permission from his team to do so at the end of the acceleration lane. An error that likely cost him his 91st victory.

This penalty had been applied during his pit stop. Hamilton came out 11th. The reigning champion still finished third, but his teammate once again won the race on this track. Irritated at the end of the race, Hamilton did not understand why the stewards did not wait until the end of the Grand Prix to impose the penalty.