Max second quickest in Sochi opener

Published on 27 September 2019 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen was second fastest in the opening session of the Russian Grand Prix. Only Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was quicker than the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver around the Sochi track. Leclerc’s team mate Sebastian Vettel completed the top three.

Apart from the customary installation laps, FP1 starts off quietly. It takes twenty minutes before any serious lap times are produced. Meanwhile, Daniil Kvyat has abandoned his Scuderia Toro Rosso track-side with engine issues.

As per usual during the first session of the weekend on a ‘green’ track that lacks rubber – and therefore lacks grip – several drivers push the limits and exceed them. Both Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) and Carlos Sainz (McLaren) use the extensive run-off area after small mistakes. For Daniel Ricciardo there is not enough run-off after the Aussie spins and nudges the rear of his Renault into the barriers. A broken rear wing is the result.

Throughout most of the session, Charles Leclerc sets the pace, followed by Max and Vettel. All their best efforts are clocked on the soft Pirelli compound. Mercedes do venture out on the softs but focus on race-pace, perhaps explaining the Silver Arrows’ absence at the very front.

In the end, Leclerc is fastest, ahead of Max with the Dutchman only trailing a few hundredths behind the Ferrari driver. Vettel finished FP1 in third.

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Results first free practice Russia: