Why Red Bull might regret setting the Friday pace
Singapore was meant to be Red Bull's best chance since the summer break of a win, yet it looks a genuine contender at Sochi. Trouble is, the three-way fight shaping up in Russia means its decision to introduce a new Honda part could come back to bite it
How the tables have turned. Last weekend, Max Verstappen and Red Bull-Honda were well off the pace in Singapore, but during Friday practice at Sochi emerged from the opening day of practice fastest by a third of a second from Ferrari.
Perhaps Red Bull really is quick enough to regret introducing new Honda V6s across all four of its cars this weekend, with the resulting five-place grid penalty that means Verstappen can't start from pole no matter how fast he might be. But despite Ferrari emerging from Friday's running very much second-best, there's also reasons for the reds to be optimistic.
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