FP1: Vettel heads opening session in Sochi

  • Published on 28 Sep 2018 11:30
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Sebastian Vettel has topped the first practice session in Russia, setting a best lap time of 1:34.488 The German will be hoping to take the spoils this weekend as he looks into eating away at Lewis Hamilton's championship lead. 

Red Bull will be encouraged by its early pace, as Max Verstappen ended the session just half a tenth of a second behind Vettel. However, Daniel Ricciardo's session was less impressive, as he was forced to take off his helmet early as his car was hit with issues.

Both Red Bull's will start the race from towards the back of the field as they revert to Renault's 'spec B' engine. Smoke was spotted billowing from the rear of Ricciardo's car as he came back into the pits after a run, but Ricciardo says that the mechanic's extensive work on the following the smoke was just a precaution.

Mercedes ended the session in third and fourth, with championship leader Lewis Hamilton leading his teammate Valtteri Bottas. Ricciardo ended up behind the Silver Arrows duo.

Esteban Ocon showed impressive pace in his Force India, finishing the session ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in seventh place. Kevin Magnussen, who was confirmed as a Haas driver for 2019 this morning, set the eighth fastest time of the ninety-minute session.

Nico Hulkenberg was ninth, however Renault came over the radio towards the end of the session telling the German that there was an issue with the car. Behind Hulkenberg in P10 was Antonio Giovinazzi in the Sauber, who will line-up full time for the Swiss squad next year.

Giovinazzi was the only junior free practice driver that managed to get inside the top ten. Lando Norris, who will race with McLaren alongside Carlos Sainz next year was P13, and was lucky to avoid the barriers after a spin early in the session.

Artem Markelov was P15 in the Renault, ahead of the outgoing McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne and Force India's Nicolas Latifi, who took over Sergio Perez's car for the morning outing.

RU Sochi Autodrom - 28 September 2018

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,111
  • Podiums 115
  • Grand Prix 214
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar