Grand Prix 2014 Russian Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Greetings, Comrades!!!

Welcome to glorious nation of Russia for Russian Grand Prix, for Russian Grand Prix in former Soviet city of Sochi.

The former holiday-city for many famous Soviet dictators, the city of Sochi plays host to the first Russian Grand Prix, the circuit of which winds its way around the 2014 Winter Olympic Park. There were initially plans for a Soviet Grand Prix around the streets of Moscow, however the Hungarian Grand Prix was created instead. The allure of having a Grand Prix in the world's biggest nation was always seemingly irresistible, and so it has proved.

His Greatness Royal General Secretary King Vladimir will undoubtedly be at the race, and will see it as further proof of Russia's sporting and cultural prowess. Expect the vodka to be flowing and Russian troop hats to be worn!!!

In terms of the weather, it is in glorious former Soviet nation of Russia. In October. But Sochi should be nowhere near as harsh of other areas of Russia. Hopefully the weather shouldn't play too much of a part in this thrilling championship battle - actually, on second thoughts, it would be great if it could!!!

The circuit itself is long - as the race is 52 laps - a 'street' circuit (with runoffs) and there have been unfortunate comparisons to Valencia, but hopefully these fears will be unfounded, and turn 4 does look interesting - it will sure put a test to the right-hand tyres and the left-hand-side of the drivers' necks.

As the championship battle comes to a head, will Hamilton still lead after a race in Putin's fairground, will Rosberg reclaim his place at the top of the standings or will there be another case of a Mercedes car stalin?
 
I wish they would make their minds up on how many turns the circuit has I've seen it drawn with anything from 16 to 19 turns depending on where someone sticks a number..
 
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Out of the 16 corners 12 are either right angle or pretty close. Presumably braking and traction will be imperative.
 
Umm 16 corners is it, I beg to differ..

500px-Circuit_Sochi.svg.png
 
Turn 3 looks a bit odd, in the sense of its proximity to turn 8 and 9 on the other side of the track so there can't be room for much run-off on the outside, which is odd because it looks like the fastest clorner on the track...
 
Actually now that I look at it, isn't Turn 3 the one that's shown on this feaure's photograph?

Blimey so no, there really isn't any run-off at all then... Like Masseney at Monaco but looking quite a bit faster....
 
Long Beach, although most of you here are probably too young to remember. This was a great track with some really good races so let's hope for the best. Mr Putin needs to go out and buy the Queen Mary and park it just outside the circuit.
 
Average speed on the best lap in qualification for Valensia in the 2012 was 201 km/h.
In the race average speed was 177 km/h.
 
Long Beach, although most of you here are probably too young to remember. This was a great track with some really good races so let's hope for the best. Mr Putin needs to go out and buy the Queen Mary and park it just outside the circuit.
Are you so love "Mr Putin" that can't live without him in the Formula 1 theme?
:)
 
Not especially having a go at Mr Putin olegg, I think he's a lovely man (I also love my family so I'm not going to write anything nasty ;) ). All of the most recent F1 races have been vanity projects for the local politicians and this Russian race is no exception but without central political funding few circuits can afford Bernie's prices these days. Problem is I don't know who the rulers are in Abu Dhabi or Bahrain but I will endeavour to find out and take the piss out of them at the appropriate races.

BTW - The Queen Mary reference was due to the fact that it is parked alongside the circuit as a floating hotel and the cars used to blast past it at Long Beach. What are the major structures the cars will go past at Sochi? One looks like the O2 arena in London, are these all just leftovers from the winter Olympics or are they still useful buildings? At least here they built the infrastructure first and then put the circuit in, unlike Korea which looked like F1 was driving through a swamp.
 
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