Russian Grand Prix: Starting Grid

Russian Grand Prix: Starting Grid

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Sunday 30 September 2018 10:00

Mercedes dominated on Saturday at the Russian Grand Prix as Valtteri Bottas led Lewis Hamilton in a front-row lockout, as Ferrari struggled to match the Silver Arrows' pace. Sebastian Vettel may take confidence on third place on the grid, however, having seen Bottas beat him from the same spot last year.

Bottas will lead the grid away when the lights go out, having secured his second pole position of 2018, taking the Sochi Autodrom lap record to boot.

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While all eyes will be on the fight at the front off the line, there will be plenty going on further down the pack, with Red Bull's position at the back of the grid hopefully ensuring we will see more than the one overtake that we had in this race in 2017.

Renault piqued interest on Saturday as they opted not to take part in Q2, starting P11 and P12, but crucially able to pick the tyres Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg will start on – potentially giving them an advantage over six cars ahead that must start on the fragile hypersoft compound.

Here's the mixed-up grid in full…