Russian GP: Free Practice 1 - Re-Cap & Results

Free Practice #1 - Re-Cap & Results

We have officially started the Russian GP weekend and we go into it with mixed feelings as we know Jules is still in the Hospital in Japan. It's very strange not having him around to race and we're continuing to think of him and pray that we hear good news soon.

With that, we announce that Marussia has confirmed they will only race one car this weekend, the car of Max Chilton. Jules' car is prepped and standing in his Garage in respect to him and his family. The team did not feel it was appropriate to run the car with another driver. 

Drivers are sporting stickers on their helmets with the words "Tous Avec Jules" - Meaning in English "Everyone with Jules" / "All with Jules" - Some cars are even sporting hashtags "#JB17" and "#ForzaJules" 

With that being said, the drivers obviously all have their friend on their minds and are wishing him well. Many have said it will be hard to focus but that they will do their best and race for Jules.

The Sochi circuit is proving to be quite difficult. There were many drivers having quite a few wheels off the circuit and both Button & Merhi spun during the session. Button's team-mate, Magnussen reported hitting a bird.

Valtteri Bottas's session was ended early when his tyre-blankets overheated and burned a set of his Medium compound tyres. 

It was another Mercedes 1-2, even at a circuit they've never driven before. Also very impressive stuff from Jenson Button who finished in 3rd.

As mentioned, Roberto Merhi drove in this session for Kamui Kobayashi in the Caterham, and Russian, Sergey Sirotkin drove for Esteban Gutierrez in the Sauber.

Here are the rest of the times from this session.

TIME SHEET:

1. Nico Rosberg - 1:42.311 / Mercedes-Mercedes

2. Lewis Hamilton - 1:42.376 / Mercedes-Mercedes

3. Jenson Button - 1:42.507 / McLaren-Mercedes

4. Fernando Alonso - 1:42.720 / Ferrari-Ferrari

5. Kevin Magnussen - 1:43.026 / McLaren-Mercedes

6. Sergio Perez - 1:43.129 / Force India-Mercedes

7. Daniil Kvyat - 1:43.164 / Toro Rosso-Renault

8. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:43.212 / Ferrari-Ferrari

9. Jean-Eric Vergne - 1:43.327 / Toro Rosso-Renaut

10. Valtteri Bottas - 1:43.542 / Williams-Mercedes

11. Felipe Massa - 1:43.741 / Williams-Mercedes

12. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:43.821 / Red Bull-Renault

13. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:43.976 / Force India-Mercedes

14. Sebastian Vettel - 1:44.506 / Red Bull-Renault

15. Adrian Sutil - 1:44.625 / Sauber-Ferrari

16. Pastor Maldonado - 1:44.876 / Lotus-Renault

17. Sergey Sirotkin - 1:45.032 / Sauber-Ferrari

18. Romain Grosjean - 1:45.190 / Lotus-Renault

19. Roberto Merhi - 1:46.782 / Caterham-Renault

20. Marcus Ericsson - 1:46.922 / Caterham-Renault

21. Max Chilton - 1:47.284 / Marussia-Ferrari

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Article Written By: Any Hawk

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