Russian GP: Free Practice #1 - Re-Cap & Times

RUSSIAN GP - FREE PRACTICE #1 - RE-CAP & TIMES

    Kimi Raikkonen brought Ferrari to the top of time sheets in the first free practice session of the Russian GP weekend. The Finn lapped a quickest time of 1:36.074 around the Sochi circuit. Team-mate, Sebastian Vettel was a bit further down in 5th, but still quick with a 1:37.230. Vettel also turned some heads when he spun during the session, but was able to keep it out of the wall.

    Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton took the 2nd and 3rd spots respectively, lapping in the 1:36's. Max Verstappen took the 4th spot with a 1:37.174. Verstappen had reported a few technical issues with the Red Bull, but didn't encounter any serious mechanical trouble. 

    Sergey Sirotkin was granted to sit in for Hulkenberg at his home circuit, but never got a chance to set a time. The Renault lost power shortly into the session and Sirotkin was able to pull off to the side of the circuit. But one the car was taken back to the garage, it never came back out. Vandoorne also reported power issues towards the end of the session and it is looking likely that the McLaren driver will take a 15-Place-Grid-Penalty for Sunday's race.

    The session was briefly red-flagged after Esteban Ocon's engine cover came loose and flew off on to the track. Once it was removed, the session got back underway. Ocon finished the session in 10th with a 1:38.065 while Perez finished up in 7th with a 1:37.457.

TIMES:

1. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:36.074 / Ferrari-Ferrari / Finland

2. Valtteri Bottas - 1:36.119 / Mercedes-Mercedes / Finland

3. Lewis Hamilton - 1:36.681 / Mercedes-Mercedes / Great Britain

4. Max Verstappen - 1:37.174 / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Netherlands

5. Sebastian Vettel - 1:37.230 / Ferrari-Ferrari / Germany

6. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:37.290 / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Australia

7. Sergio Perez - 1:37.457 / Force India-Mercedes / Mexico

8. Felipe Massa - 1:37.900 / Williams-Mercedes / Brazil

9. Lance Stroll - 1:37.944 / Williams-Mercedes / Canada

10. Esteban Ocon - 1:38.065 / Force India-Mercedes / France

11. Daniil Kvyat - 1:38.496 / Toro Rosso-Renault / Russia

12. Kevin Magnussen - 1:38.747 / Haas-Ferrari / Denmark

13. Fernando Alonso - 1:38.813 / McLaren-Honda / Spain

14. Carlos Sainz - 1:38.976 / Toro Rosso-Renault / Spain

15. Jolyon Palmer - 1:39.158 / Renault-Renault / Great Britain

16. Romain Grosjean - 1:39.533 / Haas-Ferrari / France

17. Stoffel Vandoorne - 1:39.541 / McLaren-Honda / Belgium

18. Pascal Wehrlein - 1:39.731 / Sauber-Ferrari / Germany

19. Marcus Ericsson - 1:40.079 / Sauber-Ferrari / Sweden

20. Sergey Sirotkin - NO TIME SET / Renault-Renault / Russia*

* - Notes driving in FP1 only

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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