THE MAIN EVENT

Now looking towards the off-ramp as plans are drawn up to relocate the Russian GP to the Igora Drive circuit near St Petersburg, Sochi theoretically begins the 2021 season’s post-summer flyaway leg. Popularised by Joseph Stalin in the middle of the last century, this is a popular resort with a peculiar climate which enables visitors to choose between sunbathing on the beach or skiing in the nearby mountains.

The track loops around and between venues used for the 2014 Winter Olympics. The constraints of the location explain but do not excuse a largely insipid layout which makes for processional racing, although the track is relatively unusual in that the second rather than the first corner is a key overtaking point after the race start.

2020 RACE RECAP

Valtteri Bottas delivered a jolt in the arm to his fading title hopes with victory – and fired a shot against his critics with another “to whom it may concern” message over team radio. Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton started on pole but was penalised for making two practice starts outside the pit exit during his reconnaissance laps to the grid.

Hamilton was already starting on the disadvantageous soft tyre after a slip-up in Q2 but his two five-second penalties rendered the strategic implications academic. Starting on mediums, Bottas moved into the lead when Hamilton stopped for tyres and to serve his penalties. After switching to hard-compound Pirellis, Bottas maintained his lead over Max Verstappen as Hamilton fought back to third.

KEY CORNER: TURN 2 Since Turn 1 is ‘merely’ a kink, the sharp right-hander at Turn 2 concentrates the mind – particularly on the opening lap, where the slipstream gives following drivers an advantage.

RACE DATA

Venue Sochi Autodrom

First GP 2014

Number of laps 53

Circuit length 3.636 miles Race distance 192.708 miles Lap record 1m35.761s Lewis Hamilton (2019)

F1 races held 7

Winners from pole 2

Pirelli compounds C3, C4, C5

CAR PERFORMANCE Downforce level Medium Cooling requirement Low Full throttle 51%

Top speed 213mph Average speed 136mph

TIMETABLE (UK TIME) Friday 24 September Practice 1 09:30-10:30 Practice 2 13:00-14:00 Saturday 25 September Practice 3 10:00-11:00 Qualifying 13:00-14:00 Sunday 26 September Race 13:00

Live coverage Sky Sports F1 Highlights Channel 4