2021 Russian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Verstappen leads the Drivers’ Championship with 226.5 points, five ahead of Hamilton. Bottas is third with 141, nine ahead of Norris in fourth. Pérez is fifth with 118. Mercedes lead the Constructors’ with 362.5 points, 18 ahead of Red Bull. McLaren are third with 215, 13.5 ahead of Ferrari.

Previous race

At Monza, Bottas won sprint qualifying but was forced to start from the back of the grid after exceeding his quota on power unit components. On lap 1, Ricciardo led; a slow stop for Verstappen left him alongside Hamilton when Hamilton pitted. The two made contact, ending both their races. Ricciardo won — McLaren’s first victory since the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix — with Norris second and Bottas third from the back of the grid.

Between-race developments

Verstappen was judged predominantly at fault for the Monza collision with Hamilton and carries a three-place grid penalty into this race.

Entrants

Räikkönen returns to the Alfa Romeo having missed the previous two rounds due to COVID-19.

Tyre choices

Pirelli brings the C3, C4, and C5 compounds — the softest selection seen this season.

Practice

Bottas led Hamilton in FP1 and FP2, both sessions without major incidents. Giovinazzi spun and hit the wall in FP2, causing a red flag; Gasly ran over a kerb at the end of FP2, dislodging his front wing. FP3 was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.