Summary

  • Hamilton wins, Rosberg 2nd, Bottas 3rd

  • Button 4th, Magnussen 5th, Alonso 6th, Ricciardo 7th

  • Vettel 8th, Raikkonen 9th, Perez 10th

  • Rosberg pits on Lap 2 after flatspotting tyres illegally overtaking Hamilton

  • Caterham's Kobayashi told to retire to save mileage

  • Marussia's Chilton out, Sutil and Grosjean make contact

  • Use the live coverage tab to watch the race again

  1. The gridpublished at 11:39 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    1) Lewis Hamilton 2) Nico Rosberg 3) Valtteri Bottas 4) Jenson Button 5) Daniil Kvyat 6) Daniel Ricciardo 7) Fernando Alonso 8) Kimi Raikkonen 9) Jean-Eric Vergne 10) Sebastian Vettel

    11) Kevin Magnussen* 12) Sergio Perez 13) Esteban Gutierrez 14) Adrian Sutil 15) Romain Grosjean 16) Marcus Ericsson 17) Nico Hulkenberg* 18) Felipe Massa 19) Kamui Kobayashi 20) Max Chilton* 21) Pastor Maldonado*

    * Magnussen, Hulkenberg and Chilton have penalties for gearbox changes while Maldonado has a remaining penalty carried over from Japan following an engine change.

  2. Postpublished at 11:34 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    David Coulthard
    BBC F1 co-commentator

    "On a temporary facility like this there clearly has to be an advantage to be on pole, but there is no previous stats to compare with. But because there is a long run before the first corner, if Lewis Hamilton can get away cleanly then he could open up an immediate gap.

    "If he can get a clean start from Nico Rosberg then that would be great but he will have to keep an eye on Valtteri Bottas, who has been the fastest through the [speed] traps [on the straights]."

  3. Postpublished at 11:33 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Under bright blue skies, the pit lane has opened its doors to signal that it's half and hour until the start of the race and drivers can therefore head round to the grid, checking the systems on their car on their way.

  4. Postpublished at 11:32 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Jolyon PalmerImage source, Getty Images

    Aside from Lewis Hamilton's impressive pole position in Sochi on Saturday, there was more British success to celebrate as Jolyon Palmer sealed the GP2 Series title. That's the feeder championship to Formula 1 and the last Briton to win it since Hamilton achieved the feat in 2006.

    "It feels amazing," says the son of former F1 driver Jonathan. "The team have done a really good job to help clinch it in Russia with one race weekend (and three races) to go. I'm proud of the team and myself, we've done a great job and I feel we deserve it. It's been an unbelievable year.

    "We've been fighting for every win and every pole. I'm driving the best I've ever driven. F1 is the next step for me, I need to try and emulate Lewis. It's difficult to do but if there is one way to do it, it's to win the GP2 championship."

  5. Postpublished at 11:29 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Nigel Mansell celebrates his 1994 Australia winImage source, Getty Images

    If Lewis Hamilton converts pole position into victory in Sochi, it will be his 31st F1 triumph, equalling the record by a British driver currently held by Nigel Mansell, who secured the last of his victories in the 1994 Australian GP (pictured).

  6. Postpublished at 11:28 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Andrew Benson
    Chief F1 writer in Sochi

    Lewis HamiltonImage source, EPA

    "Lewis Hamilton has pretty much owned the Sochi track this weekend, looking in unbeatable form throughout most of practice and qualifying. In the end, the margin between himself and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg was smaller than had been expected - just 0.2secs. 'I could have gone faster,' Hamilton said. 'When it's perfect maybe 0.3-0.4secs, which is the gap I feel I have this weekend.

    "But Nico was pushing and pushing and closing the gap, the pressure's on.' For his part, Rosberg admitted Hamilton had had the edge on him all weekend. He was losing out to Hamilton's exquisite feel for on-the-limit braking at the end of the long pit straight. 'Turn One is one of the biggest losses this weekend,' he said. 'But it is also a bit general that he has been quicker a little bit this weekend, and just difficult to close that gap down. But of course the race is a different story and front row is a good place to be in.'"

  7. Get involvedpublished at 11:27 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Today, the question is simple. Who you do think will win? Tweet us using the #bbcf1 hashtag, text 81111 (UK only) or leave a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page. I have a sneaky feeling Valtteri Bottas might be the star of the show today...

  8. Get involvedpublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Helen Robertson:, external Caught a bit of GP2 at Sochi this morning. Very exciting stuff, reckon it bodes well for the #BBCF1 race later.

    Colin Rice:, external Looking forward to the #RussianGP track looks fantastic and stunning surroundings.

    Duncan Abbott:, external I'm in deep negotiation to watch the Grand Prix and England game today 'guilt free'. Could be a busy morning of chores,

  9. BBC TV coveragepublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Now the build-up show is in full flow on BBC One with Suzi Perry, Eddie Jordan and David Coulthard. If you're not near a television, you can follow it in the video console at the top of this page. BBC Radio 5 live will join the party at 12:00. You'll be able to listen to their commentary via this page, too. It's a one-stop shop.

  10. Postpublished at 11:22 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Nico Rosberg on Twitter, external: Today 14.48 (11:48 BST) before the GP we drivers will stand in support to Jules & his family in a closed circle formation. #forzaJules #TousAvecJules

  11. Postpublished at 11:21 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Andrew Benson
    Chief F1 writer in Sochi

    "The thoughts of many in the F1 paddock will be with Jules Bianchi today. The Frenchman is still in hospital in Japan, following his horrific accident in Suzuka a week ago, and there has been no update on his condition since governing body the FIA announced last Tuesday that he was in a 'critical but stable' condition, with severe head injuries.

    "The drivers are all carrying messages of support for the Frenchman on their helmets and Lotus's Romain Grosjean, who knew Bianchi well, spoke for many when he said: 'Race day, let's do it for Jules.' There is an official tribute planned for Bianchi on the grid 15 minutes before the race, and shortly before that Marussia will be conveying their own personal message for him and his family."

  12. Postpublished at 11:21 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Ferrari on Twitter, external: All of Ferrari is with you! #ForzaJules

  13. Postpublished at 11:20 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Forza JulesImage source, EPA

    Members of the Ferrari and Marussia team, including race drivers Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, joined together this morning with a message of support for Jules Bianchi.

  14. Postpublished at 11:18 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    "I am thinking a lot about Jules but I am confident for the race and confident that it can be a good day for us," Force India's Sergio Perez, speaking to Lee McKenzie on BBC One. "The start is going to be crucial here today, we don't expect too many stops so it will make it very clearly a one or two stop race."

  15. Postpublished at 11:16 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Helmets with #ForzaJules written on themImage source, Marussia F1 Team

    Marussia on Twitter, external: An incredibly sad day for our team. We're racing in Sochi but our hearts are in Yokkaichi with Jules. #RacingForJules

  16. Postpublished at 11:13 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Jules BianchiImage source, EPA

    Jules Bianchi's Marussia sits on his side of the garage out of respect to the Frenchman who remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital in Japan following a crash at Suzuka last Sunday.

    All of the drivers are wearing the slogan Tous Avec Jules #17 on their helmets in support of the 25-year-old.

  17. Postpublished at 11:09 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Andrew Benson
    Chief F1 writer in Sochi

    "A weekend of sunshine, security and comically terrible service in restaurants climaxes on Sunday with the inaugural Russian Grand Prix. Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has been trying to stage a race in this vast country for more than 30 years and today he will escort around the Sochi Autodrom the man who made it possible, President Vladimir Putin.

    "There will be Russian-themed displays and a grid walk by one of the most powerful men in the world, who will be surrounded by a phalanx of guards and his own personal cameramen. The fee for this race is the largest of the season - $50m a year, according to top-level sources in F1 - Putin's aim to use the race to help make Sochi the leading resort in this part of the world, a kind of Monaco of the Black Sea."

  18. Postpublished at 11:08 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Nico RosbergImage source, EPA

    Morning everybody and welcome to our live coverage of the first ever Russian Grand Prix, which takes place in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. It's been seven years in the making, but after failed attempts in St Petersburg and Moscow, Bernie Ecclestone and Russian president Vladimir Putin get their wish.

  19. Postpublished at 11:02 British Summer Time 12 October 2014

    Lewis HamiltonImage source, Getty Images

    Lewis Hamilton has spent much of this season chasing Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, but in the last three races, with reliability finally on his side, he has caught and passed the German and firmly has the wind beneath his sails. Can he stretch his lead and further dent Rosberg's confidence today?