Formula 1: All Now Open In Russia
By Christopher Emenyonu
The formula 1 season has been an intriguing one so far and with 6 races left to the end of the season, every team is looking to finish on a high note as the heat drags on.
Since the return from summer break, tables have turned as the Ferrari have edged Mercedes in all three races most recently in Singapore and the battle will be intense till the end of the season with the Red Bull coming to the fray.
Racing heads to Sochi for the Russian Grand Prix, a street circuit that will host the formula 1 till 2021 as announced officially in 2010 is built around Sochi Olympic park.
Flying Ferrari
Since resumption from the summer break, Ferrari have looked a rejuvenated team sparkling in glory in all three races held in September. With Charles Lerclerc winning twice in Belgium and Italy and Sebastian Vettel after waiting for over year winning recently in Singapore, the Ferrari have for the first time since 2008 won three races consecutively.
Heading to a ground (Sochi) where they have never won since 2014, Ferrari will be hoping they get things right to out race Mercedes again with the momentum lying with them.
Lerclerc and Vettel sit in third and fifth positions respectively on the drivers’ standing while the constructing company remains only behind Mercedes on the constructors standing.
Undefeated Mercedes
Despite not winning in the last three races, Mercedes have remained on top on both drivers and constructors standings. Lewis Hamilton having won 8 races before the summer break has given the team an unshaking spot at the top. However, they will look to get back on winning form after a disappointing outing in Singapore which saw them finishing out of the top three for the first time this season.
Although, Sochi has been a favourable place for team as they have won every race at the street circuit dating back to 1913, making them holders of the most wins record in Russia-7 and Hamilton, the only driver to have won thrice there. Valtteri Bottas won pole and had the fastest lap last year at the ground showing Mercedes’ total dominance in Russia.
Hamilton and Bottas sit comfortably at the top of the drivers’ standings in first and second positions respectively and will be looking to build more points on a ground they totally dominate.
Red Bull close
Sitting in third position on the constructors standing, Red Bull is just a fraction behind Ferrari and Mercedes. Finishing on the podium in Singapore after good displays in practices and pole qualification shows that they have what it takes to compete with the leading two. Top driver driver, Max Verstappen has won two races already this season and has shown glimpse of promises in races but sits in fourth position with 200 points on the drivers’ standing. Having had good outings in Belgium and Italy as well, Red Bull will be looking stage an upset in Russia.
The Russian Grand Prix will coming up the between 27th and 29thSeptember, 2019 with practice 1 and 2 holding on the 27th, practice 3 and pole qualification on the 28th and main race on the 29th.
