Friday September 24th 2021
Hard mortgage in the world championship fight
Verstappen has to chase through the entire field
Max Verstappen is the leader in the Formula 1 World Championship standings by a wafer-thin margin. In Russia, however, it will be very difficult for the Dutchman to stay at the top: The rules ensure that Verstappen would have to catch up in a huge way.
Formula 1 front runner Max Verstappen has to start this Sunday’s race from the back of the field (2 p.m. / Sky and in the live ticker on ntv.de) start in Sochi, Russia. The 23-year-old Dutchman is competing with a new engine, according to a document from the world motor sport association Fia. Since this is already the fourth drive unit in the current season, but according to the regulations only three per driver are allowed, he receives this penalty.
Before the 15th of 22 planned races of the season, Verstappen is ahead of defending champion Lewis Hamilton in the championship standings by just five points. The 36-year-old Brit has a good chance of taking the lead back. He has already won four times in the past in Sochi. Verstappen is still unsuccessful in Russia and it is now much more difficult to defend the top.
“Route that Mercedes is coming towards”
Last year’s winner Valtteri Bottas has meanwhile set the best time in training. The Finn drove his Mercedes in 1: 33.593 minutes, just ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton in first place. Behind world champion Hamilton, Frenchman Pierre Gasly came third in the Alpha Tauri. Verstappen finished sixth in the Red Bull. Former world champion Sebastian Vettel drove the ninth fastest training time on the high-speed track in his Aston Martin. Newcomer Mick Schumacher had to be content with the last place one day after the announcement of his contract extension for the coming season and was behind his teammate Nikita Masepin.