russian grand prix russian grand prix formally known formula russian formula motor race took place october lap race held fifteenth round season marked second time run round formula world championship inception won race second season row extending drivers championship lead points retiring early race reclaimed second place standings time round victory malaysia second place finish completed podium force india mercedes secured second consecutive championship having event previous season report background previous year race showed lower expected tyre degradation opted supply yellow banded soft compound prime selection red banded tyre option selection previous season event saw complete laps white banded medium compound way second place finish softer tyre choice tyre degradation issue event drivers able record fast lap times race stop strategy replaced accordance race contract saw sit race replaced lotus friday free practice session tenth time season began weekend event knowing start grid number penalties incurred changing engine parts provided upgraded internal engine designed team season development teammate continue old specification engine race upgraded power units available new power unit practice session switching older unit albeit voicing satisfaction performance new specification going weekend led drivers championship point advantage teammate points mercedes led standings points points ahead ferrari williams points free practice regulations season practice sessions held minute sessions friday hour session qualifying saturday sessions disrupted little running took place session friday morning diesel track prevented cars going late session eventually topped session force india ahead water clear surface laps run intermediate tyres drivers williams cars equipped wet tyres spun entering pit lane later track dried use slick tyres limited running minutes busy cars track marcus confined stopped engine problem spun timed lap needed settle seventh fastest lot rain falling second practice session saw drivers set timed laps taking track set fastest time lap lotus run ran number laps following engine change practice session saturday saw limited running training halted massive crash lost control car going turn hit wall went crash safety barriers burying nose car process session stopped taken car transported hospital albeit practice resumed time set accident remained fastest lap session seven tenths second faster second tenth teammate finished session 17th fastest spinning final corner qualifying conditions dry qualifying saturday afternoon qualifying consisted parts minutes length respectively drivers eliminated competing sessions mercedes drivers capable proceeding second qualifying having use faster soft tyres fastest ahead williams unable compete following crash practice running drivers eliminated drivers mercedes exchanged new track record times hamilton set fast times fastest runner teammate hindered traffic proceed eliminated late fast lap fastest denying teammate hamilton career pole position process time tenths second quicker hamilton ensuring started grid second race running confirmed strong pace qualified marginally ahead second ferrari half second fifth having mistake turn followed force india cars hamilton gone turn second fast lap preventing challenging pole position race cleared race albeit setting time qualifying allowed start grid start led away spun turn marcus retired spot causing safety car deployed experienced good starts gaining places respectively racing resumed end lap retaining race lead overtook lap moved 14th place ninth place 15th grid race leader needed retire end seventh lap locked throttle handing race lead championship leader lap pastor moved ahead tenth hamilton extending lead second placed second safety car phase occurred lap lost lotus turn crashed barriers escaped car heavily damaged lot debris track safety car stayed lap restart attacked teammate finn able stay ahead going wide turn subsequently gave place lap later fought tenth place coming retaining position lap tyre failure start moved twelfth hamilton extended advantage seconds lap moving closer finn drivers opted pit second safety car phase drivers decided come regular pit stops starting lap crossed white line exiting pit lane receiving second penalty served second stop runners pit lap emerging traffic allowed time staying longer eventually emerging pit stop ahead lap lap later pitted coming race leader hamilton came lap later retaining lead incident lap ahead fifth place williams driver retake position corner early pit stop safety car phase place fourth lap moved striking distance trying older tyres alive lap ahead lap later tried follow suit run wide having position lap retired spinning track brake failure losing rear wing wing track racing conditions track marshall called brave russian passing barely avoided contact passed lap retire suspension failure end lap saw ahead place moving past force india corners later lap race collided forcing retire causing heavy damage ferrari reclaimed place achieved force india podium finish season moved closer hamilton suffering compromised rear wing probably caused rubber debris slot gap hamilton held took ninth victory season finishing ahead closest championship rival post race demoted fifth eighth place causing final lap collision scored points secured championship mercedes driver given second penalty exceeding track limits promoting tenth asked collision press conference following united states grand prix remained saying view hasn changed discussions tomorrow doesn change story took different viewpoint saying don think racing incident didn suddenly hits podium zero points instead disappointing jordan team principal carried podium interviews hamilton expressed disappointment able battle teammate win race stressed title expressed satisfaction car saying hoped able catch hamilton end race disappointed having ferrari cars podium said unhappy lap handed place calling result amazing later race best moment career race criticised believed excessive low speed restart safety car period calling behaviour ridiculous added reason slow want pack field earlier bit following impact saturday conceded felt bit early stages added lap went push normally problems accident lap spoke biggest impact revealed seat car broke impact emphasised fact able escape unharmed testament safety inherent car safety devices result race mercedes extended lead championship points secure second consecutive title williams points points ahead drivers standings lead second place grew points closest challenger dropped seven points points classification qualifying notes received thirty place grid penalty variety changes power unit received place grid penalty variety changes power unit qualifying heavy crash later permitted race received place grid penalty variety changes power unit replacing gearbox race notes originally finished fifth received second time penalty race following collision originally finished tenth received second time penalty race exceeding track limits received second penalty race crossing line pit entry classified completed race distance championship standings race bold text indicates mathematical chance note positions included sets standings
2015 Russian Grand Prix