Russian GP Practice 1: Nico Rosberg fastest from Lewis Hamilton at Sochi
Mercedes pair out front ahead of Jenson Button; Hamilton suffers brake issue; Marussia only running one car this weekend
Friday 17 October 2014 18:49, UK
Nico Rosberg was fastest in opening practice for the Russian Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Five days after Jules Bianchi's accident at the Japanese GP, F1 got back to action - although the Frenchman is very much at the forefront of everyone's thoughts as he lies critically ill in hospital.
Drivers ran with logos - Tous Avec Jules #17 - on their crash helmets while Marussia's own tribute is to run just a single car for Max Chilton this weekend while Bianchi's stands in its garage. The Briton ended the session 21st fastest.
It was business as usual at the front of the field, with Rosberg's time of 1:42.311s putting him 0.065s clear of Hamilton, whose victory in last weekend's truncated race at Suzuka has moved him ten points clear in the title race.
The pair traded times early on during the 90-minute session as drivers got to grips with the new 5.848km circuit, which winds its way around the 2014 Winter Olympic Park.
Although there was the odd spin here and there, drivers seemed to adapt quickly to the new challenge - which was reflected in times that tumbled rapidly.
Jenson Button appeared to adapt quicker than most, with the McLaren driver over a second clear of the field after the first 30 minutes.
The Silver Arrows asserted themselves soon enough - although Hamilton lost time with a brake vibration - while Button ended the session third overall just 0.196s off Rosberg's pace.
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Team-mate Kevin Magnussen was fifth, with the McLaren pair separated by Fernando Alonso's Ferrari. Sergio Perez (Force India), Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso), Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari), Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso) and Valtteri Bottas (Williams) completed the top ten.
Bottas had been second behind Button during the early stages but the Finn's session was truncated in slightly bizarre circumstances after Williams' tyre blankets 'overcooked' his own set of rubber.
Even so, he still had enough running do give an opinion of the new layout, which he described as a “positive surprise”.
“When I tried it in the simulator it felt like it was missing something, but it was pretty good and I really enjoyed it," Bottas told Sky Sports F1.
"There are some really tricky braking – such as coming out of Turn Three and Six and Seven – while the whole last sector is quite technical and you need to find good lines through there.”
