Russia race preview- Hamilton is in awesome form

On the slippery Sochi track, Nico Rosberg could see his title challenge start to slide away. He lines up second for tomorrow’s inaugural Russian Grand Prix but behind, once again, his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton is in imperious form. He has won the previous three races and is chasing a fourth straight win for the second time this season. He has timed his late form to perfection and he’s left Rosberg in his wake.

The lead at the top of the championship is ten points. That is expected to grow by another seven tomorrow. A 17 point lead with three races remaining would put the Englishman in an excellent position, despite the awarding of double points in the last race in Abu Dhabi.

If Rosberg loses more ground then things will start to become desperate for the German, who had led the championship for the majority of the season.

He needs to find a way to finish in front of Hamilton, or the championship, which promised to produce an exciting climax, would fizzle out in Hamilton’s favour. It’s time for Nico to really show he is up to emulating his father, Keke, and become a world champion.

Today, in qualifying Hamilton was far from at his best. But even that was enough to give him his 38^th career pole position. A late threat from Williams driver Valtteri Bottas will scare Mercedes, but they know that their race pace is even stronger than in qualifying.

Bottas could run Mercedes close in the race tomorrow, but he will need help if he is able to beat the superior silver arrows. Many will be supporting both the Finn and fourth placed Jenson Button. This season needs another winner to provide some much needed warmth and happiness.

Button and McLaren have showed that there is light at the end of the tunnel, at least that is the way Fernando Alonso will look at it as he edges closer to his expected move. Alonso and Ferrari could only muster a best of eighth. Another race in the wilderness is expected for Ferrari, which will only convince Alonso more that he made the right decision.

The locals will be hoping that Daniil Kvyat can do something special. He starts in a career best fifth, and carries the hope of a nation. The 20-year-old looks inspired by a race in his homeland. Red Bull will be already thinking that they made the right call in promoting him to the big team next year.

The impressive Sochi circuit is likely to create a unique race for modern Formula 1. Tyre wear will be low, but fuel consumption will be high. A one-stop strategy is very realistic but the spectacle is unlikely to suffer, considering how much rides on Russia’s first race.

Sebastian Vettel will certainly be hoping it’s not tedious. Judging by the woeful pace of the Red Bull this weekend, he needs a few incidents and retirements to minimise the damage that his 11^th place is likely to do. Daniel Ricciardo starts sixth and is lurking close once again.

But, as has been the case all season, Vettel won’t be watched too closely. All the focus will be on the front and the tense battle between Hamilton and Rosberg.

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