![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.rhinopeel.com\/sbmrl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sochi.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe track places the starting grid far back on the longest straight, which means that cars near the back of the grid will have plenty of time to gather up speed into turn 1. \u00a0It’s therefore unlikely that those at the front will have any significant advantage from a speed standpoint. \u00a0However, as we’ve seen at some of our other races this year, the presence of two additional cars in the field mean that the corner has a good chance of being blocked off, forcing those at the back to slow down just to avoid contact.<\/p>\n
Turn 2 is a sweeping left hander that was the site of Ice knocking Nero out of the race a year ago. \u00a0It can be taken at speed and may be a good spot for overtaking. \u00a0What follows will then be a series of sharp, 90 degree corners in quick succession. \u00a0This section is a key rhythm section of the track, and opens up on a back straight which is the only place other than the front straight to engage\u00a0the higher gears.<\/p>\n
The third sector is highlighted by the complicated turn 8, where cars will be forced to slow significantly after the back straight. \u00a0Two more 90 degree right handers then spit the cars onto the tail end of the starting grid for the long pit straight. \u00a0It’s worth noting that the entrance to pit lane immediately follows the final corner, meaning anyone carrying too much speed through there may not be able to enter the pits at all.<\/p>\n
Last year’s race in Sochi was marked by the aforementioned elimination of Nero in turn 2, which was particularly significant given that it was his teammate Ice who caused the collision. \u00a0Captian Slow also made his mark, slipstreaming past Danger Wheel at the final moment to snatch 4th place. \u00a0The victor, was Jaap, who started 8th and last on the grid, making it the lowest grid position anyone came from to win last year. \u00a0That has since been eclipsed twice, once by himself, and once by Jaronimus, both of whom won races after starting 9th this year.<\/p>\n
Starting Grid<\/h3>\n
The results of Germany have caused a minor shuffling of the starting grid order for Russia, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that Nero will start on pole position. \u00a0Despite his 3rd place finish, he hasn’t moved up out of the bottom of the standings, and will start his 5th consecutive race at the front. \u00a0With Ice’s poor showing Cobalt locks out the front row.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Nero (CO)<\/li>\n
- Ice (CO)<\/li>\n
- Captain Slow (SB)<\/li>\n
- The Stig (SB)<\/li>\n
- Mater (RB)<\/li>\n
- Jamonito del Verde (ORC)<\/li>\n
- Danger Wheel (RB)<\/li>\n
- Launch Bornado (RM)<\/li>\n
- Jaap Snellrijder (RM)<\/li>\n
- Jaronimus Maximus (ORC)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Pit selection is reverse order of average starting grid position, which means that despite Osito Racing Company leading the team standings, they won’t get first choice of pits. \u00a0Jamonito’s higher grid slot means that Regency Motors has a slightly worse average start position, so they’ll have the first choice.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Regency Motors<\/li>\n
- Osito Racing Company<\/li>\n
- Red Bull<\/li>\n
- Scandinavian Blitz<\/li>\n
- Cobalt<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
No driver has Sochi as their home race this year, so all will be on equal footing. \u00a0The long approach to turn 1 means that starting position will be less important than it typically is. \u00a0However, pit selection may be more important than normal given that the entrance to pit lane is right after turn 10.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Just like last year, our 7th race of the season will be held in Sochi, Russia. \u00a0Located on the northeast edge of the Black Sea, the Formula 1 circuit runs through the 2014 Winter Olympic host city. The track places … Continue reading