The Russian Grand Prix at Sochi is not for everyone’s liking, the track is not the most exciting nor does it challenge the drivers as much as it should.
In recent years, it has become quite the hunting ground for Mercedes and Valtteri Bottas, as the Finnish driver has secured victory at the circuit in 2017 and 2020. The 2018 and 2019 races happened to be won by the other Mercedes driver of Lewis Hamilton. It appears to be a race that is coming at the best time for the Mercedes team, who have only secured one race victory in the previous ten races.
Bottas is coming into Russia as the victor of the previous Russian Grand Prix, which happens to be his most recent win in Formula 1. A full calendar season, you can imagine he would be as hungry as ever to secure the win. Especially now since he will not be a Mercedes driver next season. It was at this location where he took his first win for the Mercedes team, but there is a downside for Bottas.
If Max Verstappen does indeed take his additional power unit grid penalties, surely Hamilton will want to ensure he can gain the most points possible from the weekend. Bottas still is part of the team, and it is difficult to imagine Bottas compromising Hamilton’s race in any way considering the different circumstances.
Although following other cars through the middle and final sector can be tricky, overtaking is a possibility with two large DRS zones in the first and second sector. Hence why if Red Bull and Verstappen are forced to take another grid penalty, Russia would be the best place to do it. But, there is not a perfect opportunity for the Dutchman to take this penalty. There never will be.
Who can forget, in the aftermath of the events between the two title rivals at Monza, Verstappen was slapped with a three place grid penalty. At Russia, that is not the end of the world – however it is a Mercedes track. Yet, there is a silver lining.
2018 saw the Red Bull man start the race from the back of the field after taking the additional power unit grid penalties, and swiftly made his way through the field in the opening laps – coming home in fifth. Crossing the line 31 seconds off the win from the final row, in what was then the third fastest car behind Mercedes and Ferrari. That makes you think, what kind of progress could he make this time in debatably the best car on the grid?
Really, there is not much positives for Verstappen heading into the weekend, he is guaranteed to miss out on a top three starting place whatever happens. This means, Red Bull will really need Sergio Perez up there, more then they have needed him before. In recent rounds, Perez has appeared to be sucked into the abyss of the second Red Bull car, but his teammate will really need him now.
If these circumstances happen to come around, Hamilton has almost secured 25, maybe 26, points. Unless Bottas’ hunger for his first victory of the season plays a part at a track where he knows he can run well at.
Of course, this is is Formula 1 – anything can happen.
Although it is a happy place for Bottas, Hamilton does also run well. Along with his ’18 and ’19 victories, Hamilton enjoyed Russia before the 2017 regulations came into force with victories in 2014 and 2015, making him a four time winner. Could have been five time if it was for his penalty last season for taking a practice start outside of the allocated area.
Undoubtedly, they are Ronaldinho style licking their lips for the weekend.
But, what if Verstappen does not take the extra grid penalty? His confirmed three place grid drop does already put him at a disadvantage compared to his rival, obviously. Depending on how fast he can get through the cars between him and Hamilton, strategy could come into play. Arguably, you do not want to start on the front row at Russia, plainly due to the distance between the line and turn one – they’d rather hunt for the slipstream as Bottas did last season. Yes, it is a Mercedes track, but so was Paul Ricard…
As mentioned previously, if Bottas wants his first win of the season, his first win in a calendar season, and his third win around the Russian circuit, then things could get interesting. With the gap at the top of the table currently five points, a win would see Hamilton take over at the top.
The Motorsport Formula 