Russian GP 2021 - Practices and Qualifying

[jgonzalesm6]

Let's hope for a dry FP1 and FP2.

Tuesday, it rained so hard water got into the garages.

Rain is expected today thru the weekend.

[Tifoso Svedese]

Sochi being one of the wettest cities in Europe due to all the Black Sea moisture getting trapped there before it reaches the Caucasus Mountains it's kind of surprising there has never been a wet F1 weekend there until now.

[Toothlessrage*]

Leclerc: "Something strange"

*pits

[Tifoso Svedese]

Couldn't Leclerc in theory take a fifth engine here and still serve his penalty at Sochi?

[tifosi1993]

[gump1480]

Couldn't Leclerc in theory take a fifth engine here and still serve his penalty at Sochi?

No.. I think that loophole has been long closed.

[Toothlessrage*]

New Ferrari engine for Leclerc not yet completely reliable in Russia

“The new hybrid component has not yet reached the level of reliability on the test bench, despite the team working on it 24 hours a day. The fact that we have to take old parts into account did not help, of course. Because of this, we have decided that we have to be careful.”

Leclerc will start the Russian Grand Prix from the back, but not with a fully screwed-up engine. The new upgrade now reportedly brings it 8 horsepower. This is half of what the full update should bring. Ferrari hopes to increase the engine to the maximum level during the season through various mappings, but for that, the engine must first become reliable.

ARTICLE: https://www.gpblog.com/nl/nieuws/947...n-rusland.html

[ferrari1.8t]

Merc up to tricks again…Hamilton crawling around the track at a snails pace, leaves the “magic” button on again and takes out his mechanic in the pit.

[ferrari1.8t]

Leclerc’ lap looks good, although it was on the softs. Any top speed comparison to Saniz?

[gump1480]

Leclerc’ lap looks good, although it was on the softs. Any top speed comparison to Saniz?

Doesn't look that good now

[tifosi1993]

I want an all out attack lap from Charles. He's going to start from the back, so no reason to holding off today, since Qualifying will be on Sunday and he's not going to take part in it.

[ferrari1.8t]

Doesn't look that good now

Nope, things changed real quick. I still would like to see a side-by-side comparison of the top speeds between the two Ferrari’s to see how our new PU stacks up.

[gump1480]

I am seeing H infront of Lec time on Live Timing app...was his fastest time on softs or hards?

[tifosi1993]

I am seeing H infront of Lec time on Live Timing app...was his fastest time on softs or hards?

Softs.

But I'm happy with I've seen so far, Leclerc's long run pace was very strong. We're no longer losing time on the straights and gaining in the corners, Leclerc was strong in every sector.

[ferrari1.8t]

I am seeing H infront of Lec time on Live Timing app...was his fastest time on softs or hards?

Softs

[tifosi1993]

[Tifoso Svedese]

It would make no sense practicing for a dry qualifying when a) it's going to almost certainly be wet, b) Charles will start at the back anyway. There's just no way Sainz would be 0.8 s/lap behind Gasly on a track dominated by 90-degree turns. Sainz will have PU3 in the car tomorrow anyway and thus be faster than today in S1 in the unlikely event it's dry.

[Toothlessrage*]

Charles Leclerc: Data 'confirms' power unit upgrades have improved Ferrari

LINK: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...155184677.html


Carlos Sainz: Ferrari 'look to be on the pace' for Russian GP qualifying

LINK: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...459362597.html

[ntukza]

I just hope this engine will be amazing come 2022.

[jgonzalesm6]

weather update for Saturday.

looks bleak

9-11am: Over 80% chance of rain
11am-2pm: 100% chance of rain (Practice starts at 12pm)
2-3pm: Over 80% chance of rain
3pm: 80% chance of rain (Qualifying starts at 3pm)

[Cavallino]

Softs.

But I'm happy with I've seen so far, Leclerc's long run pace was very strong. We're no longer losing time on the straights and gaining in the corners, Leclerc was strong in every sector.

very encouraging if they aren't even running it at full beans yet.

[Tifoso Svedese]

My main hope for today is Sainz nailing a wet qualifying well inside the top five with Bottas falling off a cliff as usual when it's that kind of weather. That could open up a podium chance for tomorrow. Hopefully Leclerc just does a 107 % lap and then parks it if the track's not dry so he can't tow Sainz around. Absolutely no need to risk the car like that.

[jgonzalesm6]

FP3 HAS BEEN CANCELLED

[Toothlessrage*]

FP3 HAS BEEN CANCELLED

I'm getting pretty annoyed by the canceled sessions.

Are the conditions really that bad?

[jgonzalesm6]

I'

Are the conditions really that bad?

Yep, today is like Spa2021.

[jgonzalesm6]

Sochi has a break in the clouds.

Looks like qualifying will start. Track is still wet though.

[jgonzalesm6]

Track evolution is going to be key.

[jgonzalesm6]

What's the purpose for Leclerc to 'TRY' to advance thru the quaifying sessions???

[elnano14]

What's the purpose for Leclerc to 'TRY' to advance thru the quaifying sessions???

To make other cars try hard to make through Q2 and Q3 -> potential to make mistake and penalty

[jgonzalesm6]

To make other cars try hard to make through Q2 and Q3 -> potential to make mistake and penalty

Max just did one lap and sat out the rest of the qualifying session. Makes sense since he's dead last.

Leclerc should have done the same IMO.