2020 Russian Grand Prix

## Lap Leader

The **2020 Russian Grand Prix** was a Formula 1.5 motor race held on 27 September 2020 at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi, Russia. The race was the tenth round of the 2020 World Championship, ninth running of the Russian Grand Prix and the seventh time held in Sochi.

## Background

### **Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic**

The 2020 championship was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most Grands Prix were cancelled or postponed, prompting the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile to draft a new calendar. However, the Russian Grand Prix kept its original date. Up to 30,000 fans were expected to attend the race with social distancing measures in place. Haas driver Romain Grosjean expressed discomfort over the handling of the pandemic situation at his hotel.

### **Entrants**

Ten teams (each representing a different constructor) each entered two drivers. The drivers and teams were the same as those on the season entry list with no additional stand-in drivers for either the race or practice.

### **Tyres**

Sole Formula One tyre manufacturer Pirelli supplied their C3, C4 and C5 compound tyres for teams to use in the race, the three softest compounds available.

## Practice

The first free practice session ended with Renault driver, Daniel Ricciardo quickest followed by the two Racing Point drivers of Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll. The session was disrupted first by McLaren driver Carlos Sainz Jr.'s spin in turn seven, which caused damage to his rear wing and triggered a virtual safety car. Nicholas Latifi of Williams spun in turn ten causing severe damage to his car and triggering another red flag.

The second practice session ended with Ricciardo ahead of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris. The third practice session ended with Sainz fastest, ahead of Esteban Ocon from Renault and Sergio Perez from Racing Point.

## Qualifying

Perez took pole by 0.047 seconds over Daniel Ricciardo. Carlos Sainz Jr finished third ahead of Esteban Ocon in fith.

Out in Q1 (the first part of qualifying) were Romain Grosjean, Antonio Giovinazzi, Kevin Magnussen, Nicholas Latifi and Kimi Räikkönen. In Q2, Charles Leclerc finished 11th, missing out on Q3 after his teammate Sebastian Vettel crashed, bringing out the red flag. Daniil Kvyat was also eliminated followed by Lance Stroll, whose engine overheated preventing him from going out for a second run in Q2, Williams driver George Russell and Vettel.

## Race

Kimi Räikkönen started his 322nd Grand Prix, tying Rubens Barrichello's record. Carlos Sainz Jr. took to the run off area and hit the wall trying to rejoin the circuit at the race start. Charles Leclerc collided with Lance Stroll causing the latter to hit a wall. Daniel Ricciardo was given a 5-second penalty for exceeding the track limits at turn 2.

## Championship Standings after the race

Drivers' Championship standings

 -1
 +1
 -2
 +/-

Constructors' Championship standings

 -1
 +/-
 +/-

## External Links

1. ↑  Nicholas Latifi received a five-place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.
2. ↑  Includes one point for fastest lap.
3. ↑  Racing Point was deducted 15 points after a protest from Renault was upheld regarding the legality of their car.