• Ferrari was fastest in FP1 with Vettel’s time being a 1:34.488s on the hypersoft tires. However, both Mercedes drivers were three-tenths and five-tenths respectively behind on the soft tire.
• Mercedes predictably dominated FP2 when they elected to run on the pink-striped hypersoft tire.
• Unpredictably, Red Bull lined both drivers ahead of the Ferrari pair in the most-important FP2, which might indicate that Ferrari is a step behind in Russia.
• The fight in front is expected to be between the usual suspects, Mercedes and Ferrari since the two Red Bull cars will serve penalties due to Power Unit changes.
• Hamilton’s fastest lap of Friday is two-tenths slower compared to Vettel’s pole lap from last year at Sochi.
• In the midfield, Force India looks strong. Esteban Ocon was the only official driver for the pink team in FP1 and finished sixth. While Sergio Pérez took over from Nicholas Latifi in FP2 and ended seventh.
• Renault, Haas, Sauber, and Toro Rosso seem to be engaged in a mixed battle for the last point-scoring positions. While McLaren, who put Lando Norris in Fernando Alonso‘s car for FP1, and Williams were on the last spots of the timesheets.
• Alonso will join the two Red Bulls and both Toro Rossos to start the race from the back of the grid due to penalties.

The Last Word

Results of FP1: