Nico Rosberg will be aiming for his seventh consecutive win this Sunday, which would equal the records set by Michael Schumacher and Alberto Ascari.
Russian Grand Prix: Preview
Rosberg has had a faultless start to the season, and is already 36 points clear of teammate Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ Championship. Hamilton, who went quickest in FP2 can ill afford any more errors this season, if he is to catch his teammate and retain his World Championship.
Hamilton told the BBC “Of course there is an urgency. I can’t really afford to fall any further back” reflecting on his disastrous start to the 2016 campaign.
Last year saw Lewis Hamilton prevail in Sochi, after holding his lead from Sebastian Vettel despite a nervy final few laps. Hamilton knows nothing else but victory in Russia, as the last and only 2 years Sochi has been on the calendar, the three time World Champion has triumphed.
Electric problems
Ferrari fans were given a scare by Sebastian Vettel in FP2, as the German only got 10 laps out of his car due to ‘electric problems’. Vettel however came out second fastest, and said ‘I’m sure we can fix it’.
#Seb5: 'Looks like we had an electric problem but I am sure we can fix it' #RussianGP #redseason pic.twitter.com/l5rDDryWbk
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) April 29, 2016
Friday’s practice saw a new safety device deployed by Red Bull. The ‘aeroscreen’ cockpit cover, which is a similar proposal to the pre-season halo design tested by Ferrari, aims to prevent debris from entering the cockpit, ensuring drivers are safe at all times. Red bull have worked with the FIA to ensure the design is attractive enough for the sport. The FIA believe “it is more aesthetically pleasing than the Halo” – according to the BBC.
Taking in the view. Our first shots of @danielricciardo and the Aeroscreen making its debut at #RussianGP. pic.twitter.com/go0zgjVyEW
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) April 29, 2016
Daniel Kvyat of Red Bull, will be hoping to build on his impressive result in China last week following a third place finish behind Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel. Kvyat, who will be competing at his home grand prix was in a battle last week with Ferrari’s Vettel, and the pair exchanged words in a heated debate after the race regarding an incident on turn one.
