EL2 in Sochi: Mercedes responds to Ferrari, Red Bull in ambush

Lewis Hamilton won the absolute best time of the day on Friday with a time of 1’33”385 signed with the Hyper-Tendre compound with pink sides. The world championship leader is ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas, author of his first Grand Prix victory in Sochi last year, by 0,199s. 

The Red Bulls of Max Verstappen et Daniel Ricciardo follow like a parade with only 17 thousandths between Max Verstappen, 3rd, and Daniel Ricciardo. The bulls of Milton Keynes are however relegated to more than four tenths of the day's reference. They will have to start from the back of the grid on Sunday anyway after having fitted two new examples of the B specification of the booster Renault this week-end. 

The best Ferrari, that of Sebastian Vettel, is in 5th place, more than half a second behind Hamilton. His future ex-teammate Kimi Räikkönen, leaving for Sauber, follows at a good distance (0,460s from the first SF71H). 

Sergio Pérez, who had observed EL1 from the pit wall to make way for the reservist Nicholas latifi, grants himself the unofficial title of best of the others, or champion of classification B depending on your point of view, with the 7th best brand at the wheel of his Racing Point Force India. 

The Mexican takes in his wake the Toro Rosso de Pierre Gasly, who benefits from improvements on his Honda engine but will have to start from the back of the grid as well, and his teammate Esteban Ocon. 

After having had to give way to his future replacement at Sauber, Antonio Giovinazzi, Marcus Ericsson entered the Top 10 of EL2, three places and a tenth ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc. The Renaults of Carlos Sainz et Nico Hulkenberg obtained discreet 12th and 14th places. 

Romain Grosjean, which was extended this morning at Haas for the 2019 season with Kevin Magnussen, must be satisfied with the 15th time, while the McLaren et Williams sadly continue to squat at the nadir of the rankings. Small consolation for the Russian public, Sergey Sirotkin is ahead Lance stroll by a handful of tenths. 

Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari, the usual suspects are there, but in what order will we find them on qualifying night? Response Saturday afternoon at 15:00 p.m. local time (14:00 p.m. in France). Before that, the teams and drivers will have the opportunity to iron out the final details during free practice session 3 which starts at 12:00 p.m. Sochi time (11:00 a.m. in our latitudes). 

Like every Grand Prix weekend, you will be able to follow the qualifying session live with commentary on CARhebdo.fr.

FP2 CLASSIFICATION: A strong session for @MercedesAMGF1 #RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/WlAL604IIG

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 28, 2018