Lewis Hamilton during the qualification for the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Yuri Kochetkov, Reuters
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The British leader of the World Championship ranking Lewis Hamilton has long had a record in the number of pole positions, in Sochi he has already recorded the 96th triumph in his career. Now he’s attacking an even brighter goal. Hamilton is only missing the last step to the record of the seven-time champion Michael Schumacher in the number of victories in the Grand Prix, and it is only a question of whether he will catch up with the famous German on Sunday.
The Dutch Max Verstappen from Red Bull, who was 563 thousandths of a second behind Hamilton, wedged himself among the championship Mercedes. “Pole position is good, but also bad in Sochi. The others will be on the plain after a long time in the wind for a long time after the start,” said Hamilton, who, despite a clear victory, did not avoid nervous moments in qualifying.
RED FLAG ????
Sebastian Vettel hits the barriers and brings the session to a halt.
Quick out-laps will be needed to get round in time to post final laps.
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???? Live Blog: https://t.co/CkqLNAZAQx# SkyF1 | # F1 | #RussianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/1BvXIrJFhR— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 26, 2020
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Qualification had to be stopped after the accident of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. Two minutes before the end of the second part, the German pilot failed to get out of the right-hand turn, got the clock and smashed his Ferrari against the barrier.
Sebastian Vettel with a Ferrari during Saturday’s qualification for the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Pavel Golovkin, ČTK / AP
Hamilton at that time did not have the time needed to advance to the third qualifying phase and after the restart he had to do something to catch the entrance to his fast lap. “It was probably the hardest qualification I can remember,” the 35-year-old Brit breathed as he managed to advance to the third part and was already dominating it.
The 33-year-old Vettel accidentally continued to suffer in his last and unsuccessful season in Ferrari, starting the race from the fifteenth position. His Monaco teammate Charles Leclerc, who did not advance to the third qualifying phase and will be 11th on the grid, did not do much better.
Sensational transfer is in the world! The four-time world champion has a new engagement
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“I’m fine,” Vettel said as he climbed unscathed from the damaged car. “I knew I had to significantly improve my time, and I tried to take it at greater risk. I made a mistake and lost control of the car,” said the German driver, who will drive for Aston Martin, now Racing Point, next season.
The tenth Grand Prix of the 17-part season starts on Sunday at 13:10 CEST. For the first time this year, there is a significant number of fans in the stands. The organizers let about 30,000 people into the 2014 Olympic complex. “I missed fans so much, it’s great to see so many here. Maybe everyone wears veils,” Hamilton said.
| Qualification for the Russian Grand Prix, Formula 1 World Championship race in Sochi: |
| 1. Hamilton (Brit./Mercedes) 1:31,304 |
| 2. Verstappen (Niz./Red Bull) – 0,563 |
| 3. Bottas (Fin./Mercedes) -0.652 |
| 4. Pérez (Mex./Racing Point) -1,013 |
| 5. Ricciardo (Austr./Renault) -1,060 |
| 6. Sainz (Sp. / McLaren) -1,246 |
| 7. Ocon (Fr./Renault) -1,320 |
| 8. Norris (Brit./McLaren) -1,543 |
| 9. Gasly (Fr./Alpha Tauri) -1,696 |
| 10. Albon (Thaj./Red Bull) -1,704. |
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