Why even the Mercedes aces are struggling to stay on the road in Sochi
There were two key takeaways from the opening practice sessions for Formula 1's 2020 Russian Grand Prix - and one of them concerned the unusual sight of Mercedes drivers repeatedly off the road. Here's why even the leaders were sliding off in Sochi
Two things really stood out from opening practice sessions at the 2020 Russian Grand Prix. One, which absolutely was not a shock, is that Mercedes appears to have its usual crushing advantage. But the second main takeaway was something rare.
In both FP1 and FP2 in Sochi, both of the Black Arrows drivers were having a good go at throwing their W11s at the scenery - or what passes for scenery with walls lining the track at the 2014 winter Olympics venue.
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Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.
A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.
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