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Formula 1 Russian GP

F1 Russian GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP3 and Qualifying

Superlative Saturday action from the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi

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There's a few wet bits on the track, so we're expecting an intermediate start. We might get slicks by the end, if we're lucky.
Rain
Weather report (because we've not had enough of those) - risk of rain for qualifying: 60%. Track temp is 17.3 degrees C, air temp at 14.1.
The safety car is doing a lap with minimal spray, so it looks like we'll get some qualifying in.
The FOM timing system says "wet track" and "low grip conditions". If only we could have some of that high-grip rain...
Because we lost FP3, we don't really know what the order will be come qualifying. Well, apart from the Merc lads at the front.
Sun
It seems to be drying up reasonably well at Sochi - but it's going to be a waiting game. The roads around the circuit are pretty blocked, so everything hinges on whether the medical helicopter is good to go.
20 minutes to go until qualifying is scheduled to get underway. It's currently sunny, but we expect a 15-minute downpour at the top of the hour.
Well, here we are - half an hour until qualifying is due to start and the rain has... stopped.
As part of the timetable disruption, the second F2 and F3 races have both been cancelled. The first F2 race, which was postponed this morning, will take place at 14:45 BST this afternoon. Both series will stage their feature races as normal tomorrow.
You'll be pleased to know that the rain is now coming down harder again. You'd have to be a Newcastle fan to enjoy being out in these conditions.
A statement reads: "While the conditions at the track have improved, there is still inclement weather in the local area that is affecting the airport and road network.
"This is why there won’t be any running between now and F1 qualifying, by which time we expect the local airport to reopen so that our medical helicopter can return to being operational and the session can go ahead as planned."
Now the Formula 3 race has been cancelled, as part of an updated timetable. The FIA tell us that F1 qualifying is set to go ahead at the originally scheduled time of 1pm BST.
If you've just joined us - you haven't missed much. No FP3 running due to the heavy rain in Sochi this morning, and the F2 support race was cancelled.
Breaking news
Despite looking set to replicate Charles Leclerc and George Russell by winning back-to-back F3 and F2 titles, there appears to be no room at the F1 inn for Oscar Piastri next year.

Recognising he's unlikely to get the final F1 race seat at Alfa, he says he's willing to sit out 2022 as a reserve driver: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/piastri-prepared-to-sit-out-f1-2022-targeting-2023-race-seat/6674304/
Breaking news
One of the big question marks over F1 2022 is the yet-to-be-confirmed identity of Alfa Romeo's second driver. Amid heavy links to Alpine junior Guanyu Zhou, the nearest title challenger to F2 points leader Oscar Piastri, Alpine's Marcin Budkowski has said he won't stand in the Chinese driver's way: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/alpine-wont-stand-in-the-way-of-zhou-f1-drive-at-alfa-romeo/6674293/
Fair play to the hardy fans that are sticking it out in the main grandstand on the pit straight. There does at least appear that there is a forklift on the track for them to watch, which has parked up underneath the lighting gantry.
In the absence of any on-track action to tell you about at Sochi, we'll be keeping the live blog running to bring you any updates as and when we have them about the plans for qualifying later.
Breaking news
Here is the full story on the cancellation of FP3, due to unrelenting rain: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/final-f1-russian-gp-practice-cancelled-due-to-wet-weather/6674262/
Of course, that is assuming that conditions improve by then, which is difficult to predict at this stage. Here's a handy explainer from Luke Smith on the options F1 can pursue in the event of a qualifying washout: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/how-would-f1-manage-a-sochi-qualifying-washout/6674229/
This means the next opportunity for the drivers to get out on-track will come in qualifying, which is scheduled to begin at 3pm local time in Russia (1pm BST). 

An official bulletin confirming the session's cancellation says the decision was made at the behest of the race director “in the interest of safety”. 

Breaking news
Well, at least we've not had to wait too long. Word from the FIA is that FP3 will be cancelled, to the surprise of almost nobody.
The timing screens helpfully report that the risk of rain for FP3 is 100%.
Rain
Good morning everyone, and welcome to our Live feed for all of Saturday's action. It's incredibly wet at Sochi - and although FP3 is set to begin in 20 minutes, it looks like running will be at a premium.

By: autosport.com

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