F1 | Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas dominates: “I feel comfortable on this track”

There is no question that the Russian Grand Prix is ​​a Mercedes affair, but Valtteri Bottas is doing everything he can to secure his third victory on the Sochi Olympic circuit. The Finn, already winner in 2017 and 2020, dominated the first day of free practice, giving a full two tenths of a lead to his teammate Lewis Hamilton in the morning, while in the afternoon the world champion closed in, leaving only forty-four thousandths of a gap from the other W12. Since the announcement at Alfa Romeo for 2022 – and beyond – Bottas is proving to be increasingly faster and more focused, perhaps free from thoughts about the future. If the weekend were to be turned upside down due to rain, the FP2 classification would determine the starting grid, and so Bottas would already, theoretically, be in pole position. It is not yet clear whether qualifying will take place tomorrow or Sunday morning; Valtteri, however, also flies in the race pace, but with the rain everything could change.

F1 | Free practice analysis in Sochi: Ferrari good on race pace, the fastest lap needs to be reviewed