RAIKKONEN QUICKEST IN SOCHI PRACTICE
Sochi, April 28: Kimi Raikkonen topped the times for Ferrari ahead of fellowFinn Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes in Friday’s opening free practice for this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix.
The 2007 world champion clocked a best lap of one minute and 36.074 seconds after an hour of a desultory 90-minutes’ action.
That lap lifted him 0.045 seconds clear of Bottas and six-tenths beyond thirdplaced three-time champion Briton Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes.
Championship leader German Sebastian Vettel was fifth for Ferrari behind Dutch teenager Max Verstappen of Red Bull, the four-time champion delivering one dramatic spin as he slithered in pursuit of the pace-setters.
Hamilton, on softs, was the early pace-setter before Bottas, on super-softs, took over at the top shortly before the hour mark, but there was precious little serious action from most teams.
Drivers unconvinced by ‘shield’ proposal
Sochi: Formula One’s plans to introduce a transparent cockpit ‘shield’ could make racing more dangerous in wet conditions, Danish driver Kevin Magnussen said on Thursday.
The governing International Automobile Federation announced this week that it was focusing on the concept rather than a previously tested ‘halo’ cockpit protection system.
It said track tests would be carried out in preparation for implementation in 2018.
“We’ve seen some pictures. I’m not for it,” Haas F1 driver Magnussen told reporters.
“I don’t think we need something like that. I think it’s going to be difficult, especially in the wet, with the screen. Even without a screen, in the wet it’s difficult to see anything.
“I’m sure with that, as well, it’s going to be impossible and more dangerous,” added the former Renault and McLaren driver, who said he would prefer to continue without either system.