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While track
temperatures in the Russian spring were warmer than when the race was last
held in autumn six months ago, the essential characteristics of the Sochi
circuit remained: rapid evolution, as the ‘green’ track had more rubber laid
on it, and a very smooth surface, which kept tyre wear and degradation to a
minimum.
Most of the drivers used the supersoft tyre already in FP1, which proved to
be well suited to the track layout, and was used to set the fastest time in
both sessions today.
Paul Hembery, Pirelli motorsport director: “Soft and supersoft tyres
were seen in both sessions today, and different strategic choices from
Mercedes and Ferrari about how those tyres were used. With just under a
second between the two compounds, the supersoft seems set to be the
qualifying tyre tomorrow, and it will be interesting to see whether or not
the medium tyre comes into play during the race weekend at all. We’ve got
plenty of data to look at now, but initial indications suggest that a
one-stopper could well be possible here: although it’s unlikely to be
quickest way. This all depends on track evolution though: a hallmark of
Sochi that will continue throughout the weekend.”
Minimum prescribed tyre pressures: 23 psi (fronts) 19.5 psi (rears)
Pirelli fact of the day: Prior to Sochi’s inauguration in 2014, the Grand
Prix of St Petersburg was held twice in 1913 and 1914. The first race was
won by Russian driver Georgy Suvorin in a Benz, while Germany’s Willy Scholl
won the second race, also in a 35-horsepower Benz.
Spotted in the paddock today: Sergey Sirotkin. The 20-year-old Russian, who
had been formerly tipped for a Sauber race drive in 2014, drove for Renault
in FP1 this morning, setting a respectable 13th-fastest (which was actually
faster than his team mate). Currently competing in GP2, he is targeting a
return to F1 next season. |
FP1 - TIMES FP2 - TIMES
1. Rosberg 1m38.127s Supersoft 1. Hamilton 1m37.583s Supersoft
2. Hamilton 1m38.849s Supersoft2. Vettel 1m38.235s Supersoft
3. Vettel 1m39.175s Soft used 3. Rosberg 1m38.450s Soft
FP1 - BEST TIME PER COMPOUND
MEDIUM Wehrlein 1m44.512s
SOFT Rosberg 1m39.097s
SUPERSOFT Rosberg 1m38.127s
FP2 – BEST TIME PER COMPOUND
MEDIUM No medium
SOFT Hamilton 1m38.311s
SUPERSOFT Hamilton 1m37.583s
LONGEST STINTS OF THE DAY
MEDIUM Wehrlein 7 (laps)
SOFT Sainz 24
SUPERSOFT Haryanto 23
Tyre statistics of the day:
Medium Soft Supersoft
kms driven * 105 3693 3112
sets used overall ** 10 48 38
highest number of laps ** 7 35 29
* The above number gives the total amount of kilometres
driven in FP1 and FP2 today, all drivers combined.
** Per compound, all drivers combined.
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