Russian GP: Next up for Verstappen and Sainz Jr.

Next up, it’s Russia! The first thing that Max remembers from last year’s race weekend in Sochi is his “good qualifying!” His favorite part​ of the track is Turn 3, a corner that Carlos also describes as “very nice”. He also recalls last year’s Grand Prix being “quite exciting” and can’t wait to race there again, just like Max!

Max Verstappen

“The first thing I remember from Russia is my good qualifying! It's always good to start the race from the highest spot possible and starting P9 in Russia meant already being in the point's positions... Even though we unfortunately didn't have a good start in the race: I arrived to Turn 1 and Hulkenberg spun in front of me, we collided in Turn 2 and I had a puncture. It wasn't great, as I had damage on the car and it all got very tricky but I still tried to do my best.

The track itself has many 90 degree corners, so it's difficult to find the right line. Turns 13 to 16 are a complicated section of the track, as they are all slow-speed corners and if you get the positioning right you can gain a lot of lap-time there. My favourite part of the track is Turn 3 because it's flat out and goes past all the Olympic flags, which you can see when you arrive to Turn 2. After a strong race in China, I hope for another good result in Sochi.

Carlos Sainz Jr.

“When  racing  in  Sochi,  at  the  start  of  the  lap  there's  a  lot  of  slipstream,  so  it's  possible  to  arrive  to  Turn  2  with  four  cars side by side...  One  thing  I  don't  like,  especially  here  at  this  second  corner,  is  the  wide  tarmac  run-off  areas,  where  a  lot  of  cars  just  run  wide  instead  of  committing  to  the  corner.  Turn 3 is a very nice corner which is flat or very close to it  –  it's  such  a  long  corner  and  you  just  keep  upshifting,  reaching quite high lateral g-forces. 

I remember that Turn 4 is a good overtaking spot. After that there are four consecutive 90 degree  corners  before  arriving  to  the  back  straight.  Turn  13  is  another  good  place  for  overtaking,  but  what this part of the circuit brings to mind is my terrible crash from last year – I'd say the biggest  of  my  career  so  far.  The  final  part  of  the  circuit  consists  of  another  four  90  degree  corners.  The  walls  are  also  pretty  close  throughout  the  lap,  which  makes  it  a  bit  more  of  a  challenge.  Last year's race was  quite  exciting  so  I  hope   for   another  one like that and to  be  able  to  continue  scoring points!”

Scuderia Toro Rosso