EL1: Vettel the fastest, Mercedes ensures

The four-time German champion beat Verstappen as well as the two Mercedes, who did not use super soft tires.

Published on 28/09/2018 à 11:42

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The Russian Grand Prix in Sochi got off to a smooth start on Friday morning. The first free practice session was conducted by the Ferrari de Sebastian Vettel ; the German was ahead Max Verstappen (Red Bull) of only 50 thousandths.

The two men achieved their best lap on hyper soft tires (pink sidewalls), the grippiest version sent by Pirelli to Sochi. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, 3rd to 330 thousandths) and Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes, 4th) were content to run with super soft tires (yellow sidewalls), the hardest compound of the weekend.

Great performance fromEsteban Ocon (Racing Point Force India), which is placed sixth, more than a second behind the leader. Romain Grosjean (Haas), confirmed in the American squad a few hours earlier, finished the session just one breath away from the top 10, just like Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso).

As often in Formula 1, the first turns of the wheel are used to fine-tune the settings rather than to tickle the clock. Several teams have tried new aerodynamic parts. At Red Bull, the mechanics made a voluntary change of flat bottom for both Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo in the middle of the session.

Lewis Hamilton tested a new version of his Halo, equipped with two side fins. Renault dispatched a new flat bottom and McLaren a modified nose. These two teams also allowed test drivers Artem Markelov (15th) and Lando Norris (13th) to respectively replace the holders Carlos Sainz Jr and Fernando Alonso.

Several drivers tried the large asphalt clearances when braking for the first time, such as Charles Leclerc (Sauber) or even Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) on several occasions. Lance stroll (Williams) performed a pirouette without causing the slightest mechanical damage in the second sector.