C1: Albon and Latifi offer DAMS a double in Sochi

From the start, Lando Norris (Carlin) loses two positions and finds himself 5^e in the first round, far behind Nyck de Vries (Prema Racing) and George Russell (ART GP) in the lead. Quickly, the drivers on the main strategy saw their tires collapse, like during the first race at Monza. This gives Antonio Fuoco (Charouz Racing) the opportunity to lead the race before the pit stop window even opens.

On the seventh lap, all the drivers who started on super-soft tires stopped. Lando Norris, already out of the points, completely missed his stop by entering the wrong garage the first time before leaving with a loose wheel, marking his retirement and possibly the end of his title hopes.

At the front, Artem Markelov (Russian Time) finds himself in the lead after starting from the last row. He builds a sufficient lead with each lap, moving further and further away from Fuoco and debutant Niko Kari (MP Motorsport) who share 2^e position.

With ten laps remaining, the soft tires lost performance and Markelov decided to stop. However, nothing goes as planned for the home driver whose mechanics are not ready and all the advantage built during the first stint is lost.

Au 23^e lap, Antonio Fuoco finally pits, leaving control of the race to Alex Albon (DAMS), the Italian driver outgoing in 8^e position. A few rounds later, Nicholas latifi takes advantage of a wheel lock from Nyck de Vries to pass the Dutchman and stay 2^e. The short intervention of the virtual safety car to recover the car of Maximilian Günther (Arden) does not change the end result at the head of the race.

Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi offer a double in race 1 to the DAMS team while Nyck de Vries completes the podium and also takes the points for the fastest lap in the race. George Russell saves the furniture at the championship with a 4^e place ahead of Sergio Sette Câmara (Carlin) and Antonio Fuoco, the best on offbeat strategy.

Alessio Lorandi (Trident) signs his best result with a 7^e place and ahead of the returning Roberto Merhi (Campos Racing) who takes the reverse pole. The Japanese Nirei Fukuzumi (Arden) and Tadasuke Makino (Russian Time) complete the top 10 while Dorian Boccolacci (MP Motorsport) finishes 13^e just behind Markelov.