FP1: Räikkönen ahead of the Mercedes in Sochi

Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) was the fastest in the first practice session of the Russian GP in Sochi. The 2007 world champion completed a lap in 1'36''074 with the super soft tires and was ahead by 45 thousandths Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) while Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) followed at 6 tenths. The Finn from the star-studded team was in the lead during the first part of the session but did not improve his time thereafter.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) is the first driver more than a second behind and is ahead by a few thousandths Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari). The four-time world champion finds himself surrounded by the RB13 since Daniel Ricciardo follows in 6th place. The German gave himself a scare by spinning in the last sector and narrowly avoiding contact with the wall.

Esteban Ocon (Force India) completes the top ten, moving 6 tenths behind his teammate Sergio Pérez in 7th. The Frenchman was the cause of a red flag after losing his engine cover on the track.

Turn 16 = VET #RussianGP # FP1 pic.twitter.com/hnvs9BadDF

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 28th

RED FLAG

OCO is missing an engine cover

There it is – track is being cleared#RussianGP # FP1 pic.twitter.com/VKIGrid7hg

- Formula 1 (@ F1) April 28th

The VJM10 surround the Williams by Felipe Massa and Lance stroll. Local driver Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) follows in 11th place being the first driver more than 2s from the reference.

The Russian is ahead Kevin Magnussen (Haas), while Romain Grosjean is 8 tenths behind his Danish teammate in 16th place, behind Fernando Alonso (McLaren), Carlos Sainz Jr (Toro Rosso) and Jolyon Palmer (Renault). Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren) follows in 17th place ahead of the Saubers of Pascal Wehrlein and Marcus Ericsson, the Belgian having complained of a lack of power on his MCL32.

Sergey Sirotkin (Renault), replacement for Nico Hulkenberg in this session, was only able to complete two laps following a mechanical problem. The Russian had already suffered from a similar problem during his last free practice session at the Brazilian GP last year.

The second practice session for the Russian GP will be contested from 14 p.m. (French time).

PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION

Ice Man on top in sunny Sochi

P1 and P2 for Finland #RussianGP # FP1 pic.twitter.com/48Y373zV1p

- Formula 1 (@ F1) April 28th