How the Russian GP unfolded

1. Hamilton wins, Vettel 2nd, Perez 3rd
2. Mercedes win constructors' title after Raikkonen penalised
3. Bottas and Raikkonen collide last on lap
4. Rosberg out after throttle problem
5. Battling Sainz out after brake failure
6. Grosjean suffers heavy crash - out
7. Hulkenberg, Ericsson, Ricciardo, Bottas out

BBC

The title is almost in Lewis Hamilton's grasp after taking victory in Russia, while Nico Rosberg retired.

Hamilton needs nine more points than Sebastian Vettel and two more than Rosberg at the next race in the USA to clinch the title.

Will he do it? Join us in two weeks to find out.

Almost time for us to wrap things up here after a thrilling Russian Grand Prix. Missed it? Then race highlights will be on BBC Three at 19:00 BST.

You can also read all about it in Andrew Benson's report here.

BBC_Rex Features

The constructors' title celebrations can begin. Next up, the drivers' title. After today's dominant win, it is surely a matter of when, not if, Lewis Hamilton will wrap that one up.

Get involved #bbcf1

AP

History repeats then as Mercedes secure back-to-back constructors' titles, with this one coming at the same race they won the 2014 title.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"Raikkonen penalised 30 seconds for Bottas crash - Mercedes are constructors' champions. 

"Also a five-second penalty for Alonso for exceeding track limits, demoting him to 11th behind Verstappen."

Mercedes win constructors' title

That means Kimi Raikkonen is demoted to eighth so by our calculations...Mercedes have won the constructors' title.

Raikkonen penalised

And just as we say that, Kimi Raikkonen has 30 seconds added to his race time for causing a collision.

The late collision between Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas is under investigation. We haven't heard anything yet, but we are keeping our eye out.

BBC

A mixed day for Williams. Valtteri Bottas crashed late on, but Felipe Massa produced a great drive to finish fourth.

McLaren finished inside the top 10, with Jenson Button ninth and Fernando Alonso 10th.

Don't think we expected a double points finish. We did everything right, that's all we can do.

Jenson Button

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"I totally see Lewis Hamilton as the modern-era great. He is the class of the field right now. Yes, he's in the best car in the field right now but he has engineered that."

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Mike Mawby: Everyone says what a good F1 ambassador Jenson Button is but you know what Lewis Hamilton is pretty damn good too.

Joanna Poole: Middle teams seem to do extremely well with only one car racing: Perez third today, Grosjean third Belgium, Verstappen fourth Hungary.

A hat trick for Hamilton?

Getty Images

After wearing a Russian cossack following today's race, Lewis Hamilton has hats on his mind.

He told the F1 Forum: "I'm aiming for the Mexico one - the sombrero. My aim is to get on the podium there and get one of them." 

'Title only goal for now'

More from Lewis Hamilton, who is determined not to get ahead of himself despite having a 66-point title lead over new second-placed man Sebastian Vettel:

"I will take my time and work just as hard as I have done," he said.

Only Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost now have more F1 wins than him, but he says he is only focused on the title.

"The goal is still the third world title. Until I achieve that then there is no other goal."

Not over yet - Hamilton

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton has told the F1 Forum he was hoping to race "like in Bahrain last year" with Mercedes' team-mate Nico Rosberg before the German's early retirement.

He said: "I had a really good getaway and I tried for the slipstream. I got slightly ahead but not enough and I backed off."

Is the world championship done and dusted?

"I never get to the point where I think it's done and dusted. The goal is still to make sure I have it when I cross the line in Abu Dhabi."

BBC

Suzi Perry and co. have caught up with race winner Lewis Hamilton for a word, watch it on the F1 Forum.

*WARNING* Interview comes with horrendous music from the Red Bull garage in the background.

A very happy Lewis Hamilton

Sergio Perez is happy, and so is Lewis Hamilton.

Very proud of team - Perez

BBC

More from a very happy Sergio Perez after finishing third:

"I was so hard on myself. I lost position on corner 13, but by corner 15 I said 'Checo, there is nothing more you could have done'.

"When Valtteri came alongside me, there was nothing I could do. We had very little rubber left. The last five laps it was just about managing the braking and not flat-spotting them.

"This team, the people we have and level of engineering is pretty high and I am very proud of them.

"People seem to forget we only had two days of testing before the season started."

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

Sergio Perez showed he is a quality driver. He did everything that was asked of him. There was a bit of luck in the end but that is F1 and he deserved his podium.

'Thanks to the Finns'

BBC

Force India chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer on the BBC F1 Forum after Sergio Perez finished third:

"It's a bit lucky for us that the two Finns came together. It was going to be marginal with the tyres at the end.

"We pitted earlier because we thought it would take longer to fix the barrier (after Romain Grosjean's crash) than it actually did.

"There will definitely be a bonus payment for Sergio. Hopefully having him on the podium will be a boost before America and Mexico."

BBC

A first podium for Force India since last year's Bahrain Grand Prix, and a third in total. They probably won't get a more dramatic one than today's as well, Sergio Perez snatching it from the jaws of defeat courtesy of the late collision between Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas.

BBC

Carlos Sainz almost completed the perfect day having come out of a massive crash in practice on Saturday unscathed, got back in his Toro Rosso and got up to seventh from the back of the grid before a problem late on ended his race.

He also ended up making contact with the barrier at Turn 13, where he crashed yesterday, and he said: "We could have had P6. We had great pace. With eight laps to go I crashed again. The barrier at Turn 13 and I are going to become friends I think."

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Sebastian Vettel is up to second in the drivers' championship after finishing second today, and while a title challenge has probably come too late this season, he is hoping for an even closer battle next season.

"I hope so," he said when asked if they can challenge for the title in 2016. "That is our target, we want to be a bit better in the race and make sure we give Mercedes a really good challenge."

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

BBC

What was interesting was this was a better race for the fact the tyres weren't degrading and the drivers were able to push.

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Claire Scrivens: what a Finnish!!!! Gutted for valtteri such a shame for both the Finns. Great race though.

John Mulholland: It was Kimi's fault but he's a racer and decided to have a go. Made it an exciting end.

Keith Benjafield: I hope the FIA throw the book at Kimi. He ruined a great drive by Bottas. What an idiot!! Spoiled the race for us Williams fans.

Raikkonen 'ruined my day'

A stern-faced Valtteri Bottas has just been talking to BBC F1's Lee McKenzie and, understandably, he is not happy after he was punted out on the last lap by Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen when running third:

"I got past Perez and approaching Turn Four someone hit me from behind. It's really disappointing because it's ruined my day."

Does he expect a penalty for Raikkonen?

"I would guess so but I would have to see the video.

"It feels pretty bad when it ends up like this. All the hard work doesn't matter when you end up with zero points."

Russian GP Forum

Coverage on BBC One has finished but there's still plenty going with the Forum on BBC Red Button and at the top of the page right now, or via the live coverage tab for followers on mobiles.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"If Raikkonen is penalised for the Bottas crash and demoted to eighth or lower, Mercedes are constructors' champions."

Four-time world champion Alain Prost had 51 F1 wins, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are now tied on 42...

'Raikkonen came from a long way back'

BBC

Williams' head of vehicle performance Rob Smedley is choosing his words carefully on BBC TV:

"Raikkonen seemed to come from a long way behind. When they started braking, he wasn't anywhere near him."

Could there be a penalty for Raikkonen?

"Possibly, if the stewards feel he caused the accident."

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"I think Sergio Perez will be sending a bottle of tequila Kimi's way."

Collision shame - Raikkonen

BBC

Ferrari's Kimi Raikonen speaking to BBC F1's Lee McKenzie about his last-lap collision with Williams' Valtteri Bottas:

"I passed him (Bottas) once before in the same place and thought I would try the pass and once I decide to go I can't do anything if he doesn't see me.

"We collided and it's a shame. I tried to pass in the normal way but it ended in contact."

BBC

Nico Rosberg's retirement and second for Sebastian Vettel means Mercedes will have to wait a little longer for the constructors' title.

The drivers' standings

Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton is marching towards a third world title, helped by Nico Rosberg's retirement today.

He leads Sebastian Vettel - who moves above Rosberg - by 66 points with 100 to play for in the remaining four races  

Feels great to be on podium - Perez

BBC

Third-placed Sergio Perez in the podium interviews: "It's just feels great to be back. One lap before the end it seemed like everything went away from us. I was very unhappy with myself but in the end I thought ''I gave it all". I did plenty of laps with my tyres and had massive degradation. On the last lap when it came it was just amazing." 

Sebastian Vettel, who finished second: "I think it was a very good race. The car was fantastic and kept getting better. I thought there was a slight chance to catch Lewis at one point but he had so much pace in hand."

BBC

Sergio Perez is enjoying this one. He secures only Force India's third podium in F1. 

Special to surpass Senna - Hamilton

BBC

Race winner Lewis Hamilton in the podium interviews: "I was excited because Nico and I were quite close together at the beginning. It was a shame for the team to lose one of the cars.

"I don't take what we have granted. It's a special moment for me to surpass Ayrton (42 wins)."

Great result for McLaren today as well as they got both drivers in the points.

Russian GP result - the rest

11) Verstappen 12) Bottas 13) Merhi 14) Stevens 15) Ricciardo 

Retired: Sainz, Grosjean, Rosberg, Hulkenberg, Ericsson

bbc

Oh he has got one now. Good stuff.

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Andrew Kasper: The Iceman well and truly lost his cool there! Feel sorry for Bottas. Great result for Checo and Force India though.

Liam Cutler: Hamilton is having the time of his life though. Pretty simple race, but he is truly relishing every single drive.

Rob Spedding: Gutted for Valtteri Bottas - top drive, great overtake on Perez and deserved to be on the podium.

Ashan De Silva: Raikkonen you idiot, totally his fault, great drive by Perez!!

BBC

"Where's my hat?" wonders Seb.

BBC

Lewis Hamilton climbs out of his car before embracing it. The pair have won nine races together and edging ever close to the world title

Hamilton is then off to shake hands with Russia president Vladimir Putin before grabbing a traditional Russian hat on his way to the podium.

BBC

BBC

The frustration clear to hear over the radio from Valtteri Bottas: "What the BEEP did he do?"

Team radio

Force India's Sergio Perez after finishing third: "Whooo, great job guys. I had no rubber left at all."

Russian Grand Prix top 10

1) Hamilton 2) Vettel 3) Perez 4) Massa 5) Raikkonen 6) Kvyat 7) Nasr 8) Maldonado 9) Button 10) Alonso 

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"It was a desperate last lunge from too far back. Kimi is usually quite honest and I think he will accept responsibility for that."

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Marc: Stupid move by Kimi.

Peter Owen: Chaos in Russia!

Welsh Racer: Lucky Perez.  

Chequered flag

Getty Images

LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX

Drama at the last as Valtteri Bottas spies a chance to pick off Sergio Perez and he takes it. Bottas is into third, with Kimi Raikkonen also getting the better of Perez.

But what is this!? Contact between Bottas and Raikkonen and they are out of the battle for third! Perez back in third!

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Alex: Aww shame for Sainz, brake failure and off he goes, and broken rear wing too, not a great weekend sadly for him.

Rob Marshall: Moderately interesting Russian GP but what a dull place Sochi is - looks like an abandoned theme park.

One lap to go

Lewis Hamilton reports a rear wing problem but it isn't going to cause him any trouble with one lap to go. He leads Sebastian Vettel by 7.8s.

However, the battle for third is all to play for, with Valtteri Bottas on the tail of Sergio Perez...

Merecedes team radio

Engineer: "OK Lewis, three laps to go, still seeing some suspect performance from the rear wing. We suggest if you get DRS, not to use it."

Battling Sainz

A real shame for Carlos Sainz after showing some real determination this weekend. A hair raising crash in practice yesterday resulted in him being airlifted to hospital. It was simply an outstanding achievement for him to be even racing today but even then he got himself up from the back of the grid and into the points. 

Even when there was a problem with his car he would not give up. An absolute battler.

Daniel Ricciardo is also out as he parks his Red Bull. He reports a problem with his suspension.

BBC

My word! Replays show a marshal running on to the track to retrieve that bit of debris that came off the Toro Rosso. Just as he sprints back to the barrier Sebastian Vettel comes by. That was uncomfortably close.

"We have a very brave Russian," Vettel says over team radio.

That's Carlos Sainz's race over. He has parked the Toro Rosso. A great effort, though, to have got into the points initially after yesterday.

Yellow flag

James, you spoke too soon.

Carlos Sainz spins once, gets going, and then spins again at Turn 13, planting his rear into the same barrier he crashed into yesterday, he gets himself going again but a piece of debris comes off his rear wing.

James Allen

BBC Radio 5 live F1 commentator

Sainz has had a great race. He was in hospital yesterday begging to race after a big crash - now he is in seventh place

Williams team radio

Engineer to Valtteri Bottas (currently fourth): "Ten laps to go, Perez is starting to struggle badly. We can still get this podium."

Never mind attacking for third, Daniel Ricciardo has some defending to do as Valtteri Bottas' Williams looms large. He is getting closer, and closer and passes the Australian at Turn 2 to move into fourth. Next up, a struggling Sergio Perez...

Jennie Gow

BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

A lot of marbles, making it really difficult for drivers to try to overtake

Sebastian Vettel clocks the fastest lap of the race and he is taking a nibble out of Lewis Hamilton's advantage, which currently stands at 11.8s.

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Lukas Redl: Force India on a podium today? That would be fantastic.

Gareth: Force India on the podium? Bring it on!

Sean Harrison: Alonso's radio messages are getting as good as Raikkonen's.

Ben Edwards

BBC F1 commentator

"There is a real opportunity for someone different to get on the podium today. The question is 'who is it going to be?'"

Ten laps to go

Daniel Ricciardo is very much in with a chance to claiming a place on the podium. He is two seconds behind Sergio Perez in third.

"Checo, it's P3 but to make it work, we need maximum management on the front," he is told over team radio. "I can't do any more," is the reply.

Can Perez keep Ricciardo at bay before the flag?

Battle for eighth

BBC

Lewis Hamilton may be storming towards victory out in front - he has a 12 second lead over Sebastian Vettel - but there are some good battles further down the field. Felipe Massa versus Daniil Kvyat is one of them, a lapped Manor wants no part of it as it runs wide to let the two duel. Massa attempts to get past Kvyat, but the Russian holds him off.

Story so far

Rosberg pulls away ahead of Hamilton before a safety car following Hulkenberg and Ericsson's crash

Rosberg retires after a throttle failure, handing Hamilton the lead

Ferrari's Vettel and Raikkonen nearly bang wheels as they fight on track for position

Big crash for Lotus' Grosjean, as he slams into the barrier at Turn 3. Is OK

Hamilton dominating out front

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"Great Finn on Finn action there. This is great to see Raikkonen back and so racey. He saw the opportunity - he hasn't made it stick because Bottas had great reactions to do the cut-back."

BBC

Plenty of excitement in the Williams garage as they watched that thrilling battle between Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen unfold.

Top 10 as it stands

BBC

BBC

Some more great wheel-to-wheel action involving Kimi Raikkonen! The Finn fancies a crack at his compatriot Valtteri Bottas and swoops in at Turn 4, briefly taking the position only for Bottas to immediately fight back. Raikkonen tries again but Bottas fends him off to retain fifth. 

Daniil Kvyat returned to the circuit in ninth, just ahead of Jenson Button. Meanwhile, Felipe Nasr pits from second, takes on softs and is out in 12th, behind the McLaren of Fernando Alonso.

Happy with safety - Grosjean

Lotus's Romain Grosjean talking to BBC F1's Lee McKenzie after his heavy shunt:

"Tomorrow morning it's going to be a little bit sore but I can be very happy with the safety in F1. Here I am. I feel sorry for the guys because there is going to be a lot of work on the car.

"We need to understand what happened. You do realise quite early that you can't do anything any more so you leave the steering wheel and get muscles as strong as you can. I was glad when I opened my eyes [and] I was fine. 

"I am very thankful we have made some progress with technology."

Daniil Kvyat makes his first stop soon after, leaving Felipe Nasr, currently second, out there as the only driver yet to make a stop.

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Sean Harrison: Bad luck for Rosberg but Hamilton had more of it last year and still won the title.

Alex Meek: Talking about fair? How many retirements did Hamilton have last year in comparison and still won the championship? Just karma. 

Hamilton pits

Lewis Hamilton pits with a huge advantage at the front. It is a relatively leisurely stop with no real pressure on the Mercedes. He takes on softs before emerging back in P1 with a 7.4s advantage over Daniil Kvyat, who has yet to make his first stop with 33 laps gone.

BBC

In comes Sebastian Vettel and he is back out ahead of Valtteri Bottas, into P6. Kimi Raikkonen is next in, can he also get back out ahead of Bottas? It is going to be close...but Bottas just keeps himself ahead.

Valtteri Bottas has some traffic ahead of him, he struggles to get the better of Carlos Sainz but finally manages it. However, he has lost a few valuable seconds.

Sebastian Vettel is coming in now for his first stop...

Lewis Hamilton is continuing to pound the circuit on those supersoft tyres he started the race on, 28 laps and counting. 

Hamilton's advantage over Sebastian Vettel is 15s. A supremely comfortable day for the Briton.

Ferrari team radio

Engineer to Sebastian Vettel: "OK Bottas is in traffic so it's good. Keep pushing, this is a crucial stage of the race."

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"Bottas needs to hit it now and try to get the maximum out of these tyres so Vettel doesn't take advantage and leapfrog him."

With Sebastian Vettel gaining on Valtteri Bottas, the Williams is the first of the leaders to pit. He is back out in 11th after switching to softs, with Vettel elevated to second.

BBC

Williams team radio

Valtteri Bottas: "Guys, the tyres are dying."

McLaren team radio

Engineer to Fernando Alonso: "OK Fernando, we have been given a warning about cutting the apex of Turn 16. The FIA have warned us so we have to be careful there."

Sebastian Vettel's latest lap is half a second faster than Valtteri Bottas's. Meanwhile Carlos Sainz is under investigation for crossing the pit exit line and he gets a five second time penalty.

Wow that gap is getting bigger and bigger at the front, with Lewis Hamilton now seven seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas, whose attention will surely now be switching to Sebastian Vettel. The Ferrari is 1.6s down the road from the Williams.

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Sarah Elizabeth: Nico sounds so sad, he deserved to have a proper race. Sort out the reliability issues Mercedes and make it FAIR.

Mike Lloyd: Nice to see the new style safety barriers still require gaffer tape to repair them.

Did Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel touch? If not, they were racing as close as you physically can without actually making contact.

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Ben Baker: This year's Russian Grand Prix has been more exciting in the first 20 laps than the whole of last year's race!

Charli: Love Sainz! We need more drivers like him.

Paul Simeons: Great racing from Daniel Ricciardo as usual!

Toro Rosso team radio

Max Verstappen, who is currently 12th: "The tyres are no good anymore."

Top 10 as it stands

BBC

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is going about working up his advantage at the front again after the latest safety car appearance. He leads Valtteri Bottas by 3.7s.

How's Carlos Sainz getting on after his dramatic crash in practice yesterday? Very well is the answer, he is up to 11th and is involved in a thrilling tussle with Daniel Ricciardo in a battle for 10th, one that the Red Bull comes out on top of.

Throttle problem dangerous - Rosberg

BBc

Mercedes' Nico Rosberg speaking to BBC F1's Lee McKenzie after a throttle problem forced his retirement:

"F1 is pretty incredible sometimes how tough it is. After a great start, leaidng the race and feeling confident. Straight after the safety car the pedal broke. It was quite dangerous. Definitely not a nice way to end the day.

"The championship is more difficult of course but I am never going to win a championship like that when normal things break.

"But I will come back, keep pushing, keep attacking and try to win in Texas."

BBC

Tense racing between Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, the two battling wheel-to-wheel. Raikkonen runs wide at Turn 2 and Vettel is into third.

The safety car comes in on this lap. Valtteri Bottas is a bit too eager to get the jump on Lewis Hamilton at the restart, coming close to running his Williams into the back of the Mercedes. He backs off.

BBC

The safety car is still out as marshals continue to work on clearing up the debris where Romain Grosjean crashed, a bit of duct tape getting plastered over the damaged barrier.

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Dazzla: That shunt looks frightening when played in real time.

Ian Scamans: Did Grosjean have a puncture or broken suspension? The car was looking low, leaning towards the right rear before he lost it.

John Horne: Wow so much happening in this great Russian GP. Shame about Nico.Glad Grosjean is OK after crash. Plus two SCs.

Lotus team radio

Engineer to Pastor Maldonado: "Pastor, confirming that Romain is absolutely fine. He walked away, no problem."

BBC

Replays highlight just how big a crash that was, the Lotus flying into the barrier at high speed. Romain Grosjean was walking a little gingerly after he stepped out, a little winded perhaps, but otherwise OK.

Kimi Raikkonen is informed over team radio that they think Romain Grosjean went off as a result of going over the marbles  - little bits of rubber from off the tyres - on the track.

Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Robert Merhi are among the drivers to have pitted.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

BBC

"Grosjean starts to lose the rear of the car, it takes him onto the marbles and then he's on a one-way ticket to that barrier."

BBC

Romain Grosjean climbs out of the damaged Lotus. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas stay out, as do a couple of the others towards the front of the field, with several cars further down the pack heading into the pits.

Safety car

bbc

Romain Grosjean has crashed. The Lotus is into the barrier at Turn 3. He is moving in the car, which is good to see.

Mercedes: Initial analysis; as far as we can tell, the throttle damper has failed on @nico_rosberg's car.   

Back to matters on the track and Lewis Hamilton holds a three-second lead over Valtteri Bottas. 

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Danny Palmer: Rosberg's car fails again. I hate to say it but Hamilton's car needs to fail too to give us an interesting race and championship

Dan Parkin: Gutted for Nico Rosberg after driving superbly all weekend. Slim hopes of the championship for him now definitely over.

BBC

What must Nico Rosberg be thinking? He has had some rotten luck. All he can do now is watch on as his title hopes appear to evaporate.

Lewis Hamilton is informed of Rosberg's plight: "Your team-mate has retired. Let's focus on this race."

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"You have to feel for Nico. He did everything so far this weekend and in the end he is left with his thoughts of what could have been."

Rosberg's race over!

Nico Rosberg limps back to the pits and his Mercedes is switched off. He is out of the race.

If Lewis Hamilton wins this, he will lead by 73 points, with just 100 to play for.

Ben Edwards

BBC F1 commentator

"It looks like it's all over in terms of the world championship."

Hamilton takes the lead

Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton leads! Nico Rosberg is struggling with that throttle issue and runs wide at Turn 2, Hamilton pounces and moves to the front of the pack. Now Rosberg is passed by Valtteri Bottas. 

Big problems for Rosberg and a big blow to his championship hopes!

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Dan Smith: Imagine driving a Formula 1 car with a broken throttle, how is he meant to concentrate if he's worried about it sticking?

Charli: Bottas is, without doubt, a future champion. 

BBC

A good battle develops between the two Ferraris as Sebastian Vettel looks to make a move on Kimi Raikkonen at Turn 2, the Finn defends his position though, and remains fourth.

Seven laps in and Nico Rosberg leads from Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and then Raikkonen.

Mercedes team radio

Nico Rosberg: "The throttle pedal is broken. If it sticks, what should I do?"

Engineer: "Nico, it would kill on brake pressure."

Problem for Rosberg?

If Nico Rosberg is going to win this race, it looks like it is going to be done through plenty of hard work. He complains of a problem with his throttle pedal...

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"Quite clearly the straight-line speed of the Williams on show, Bottas easily overtaking Raikkonen."

Valtteri Bottas pounces immediately after the safety goes in, moving ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and into third.

"Excellent Valtteri. Nice work," he is told over team radio.

Safety car is coming in on this lap. Can Lewis Hamilton get one over Nico Rosberg here?

Fernando Alonso was one of the big movers before the safety car came out. He is up to 14th from 19th, while Kimi Raikkonen is up to third from fifth.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"Hamlton had a couple of opportunities, got himself alongside Rosberg and then backed out sensibly."

Team radio

Toro Roso's Max Verstappen: "I couldn't do anything about it, the car just came spinning to me. It's the left rear tyre that's damaged."

Romain Grosjean comes in, an adjustment on the front flap on his Lotus, before heading back out. Max Verstappen also heads in after that contact with Nico Hulkenberg resulted in a puncture on his left rear tyre.

Safety car

The safety car comes out after contact between Nico Hulkenberg and Marcus Ericsson at the start.

Replays show Hulkenberg spun at the first corner, tagged Max Verstappen's Toro Rosso and then Marcus Ericsson could not get out of the way quick enough.

BBC

Go! Go! Go!

LIGHTS OUT!

Great start by Nico Rosberg and he leads at the first corner but he and Lewis Hamilton are side by side at Turn 2...

Nico Rosberg brings his car very slowly to the grid, he doesn't want to be sat there waiting too long for the others to line up. Almost time...

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Anthea Lansborough: Come on Rosberg and Vettel. Just want this season to stay alive a bit longer!

Alforsport: This Russian GP is shaping up to be a good one with so many uncertainties! Let's hope we get some place changes off the start line!

BBC Sport

Big day for Nico Rosberg and he looked very focused on the task at hand moments before the formation lap.

Four drivers head off on the formation lap with soft tyres bolted on - Pastor Maldonado, Felipe Massa, Marcus Ericsson and Fernando Alonso. The rest of the field are on the supersoft tyres.

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London Photographer: Russian national anthem always reminds me of Sean Connery's 'The Hunt For Red October'.

Amy: Definitely think they should wear bandanas at every race.

THE GRID

1) Rosberg 2) Hamilton 3) Bottas 4) Vettel 5) Raikkonen 6) Hulkenberg 7) Perez 8) Grosjean 9) Verstappen 10) Ricciardo

11) Kvyat 12) Nasr 13) Button 14) Maldonado 15) Massa 16) Ericsson 17) Stevens 18) Merhi 19) Alonso 20) Sainz

Points for Alonso?

McLaren's Fernando Alonso (19th on grid) talking to BBC F1's Lee McKenzie about his 250th grand prix:

"It feels special after the little celebrations over the weekend. It's a shame we don't have big possibilities but we have to try to be creative. I can get close to the points, I think."

Just under 10 minutes to go until lights out. Is this Nico Rosberg's last chance to realistically keep himself in the title hunt?

Get involved - #bbcf1

Simon Emms: Why doesn't David Coulthard just do the grid interviews in the lavatory? Seems that's where they're all heading.

The Laird McDermott: Never stop a man on his way to the loo to interview him, David.

Drivers' championship

BBC

Constructors' championship

BBC

bbc

A genuine look of concern appears on David Coulthard's face as he tells Toto Wolff that he looks calm, to which Wolff replies: "You have not felt how sweaty my hand is."

Coulthard feels it, and confirms it is sweaty, clearly half wishing he hadn't...

Sochi strategy

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

“Don’t expect much variation in strategy. Despite their lack of experience from limited running in practice, the teams are saying this is a near-dead cert one-stop race. The long pit lane already pushes them that way, tyre degradation is very low and on life a one-stop is easy, with the super-soft predicted to go 25 laps and the soft 35. 

"There might be some blistering on the super-soft if the drivers allow the cars to slide too much through the long Turn Three. The pit window opens on about lap 18, and the only real question comes if there is an early-ish safety car, after the first few laps but before the pit window is properly open. People would be tempted to pit, but there would be question marks over whether the soft would then go the distance.”

Back to the day job for Button

BBC

Jenson Button has just been speaking to David Coulthard again about their brilliant BBC F1 rallycross feature.

Button said: "It was great fun, mate, so thank you for that opportunity. Now it's back to my day job.

"[Starting 13th] is as good as we can do at the moment."

BBC

Laps: 53

Circuit distance: 5.848km

Last year's winner: Lewis Hamilton

Get involved - #bbcf1

Edward Williamson: Oh great. Another three years of Pirelli.

Peter Hayes: So, if Bernie isn't having us on, Pirelli will be the supplier to F1 for three more years.

Matt Bunnell: Three-year tyre deal for Pirelli announced on #bbcf1. Bernie: "They do exactly what we want" Not sure Vettel agrees...

The one that almost got away

BBC

Nico Hulkenberg catches DC's eye but he wants none of it, trying to get away but he's not quick enough!

BBC Sport

Twenty minutes until lights out and it is time for David Coulthard's to see who he can snare for a quick word.

Eddie Jordan

BBC F1 chief analyst

"Bernie said Pirelli have done a decent job but Bernie likes continuity."

Pirelli signed up for three more years?

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"Bernie Ecclestone shakes Pirelli chairman's hand live on #BBCF1 and says "we've done a deal". He means the next tyre contract. I think"

BBC Sport

What the papers say

The Sunday Telegraph carries an interview with Red Bull's Russian driver Daniil Kvyat as he prepares for his home race.

Kvyat tells them that he likes to read the "classics, those life stories which can teach you something". He explained: "At the moment it's mainly Russian things, and a bit of Shakespeare as well. I always have something when I am travelling."

Sunday Telegraph

Get involved - #bbcf1

Flann: What a feature with Jenson and DC!

Jen: Loving this #bbcf1 feature with @JensonButton AND @therealdcf1 trying rallycross

Grapevine Grand Prix: This rallycross feature is the best thing I’ve ever seen on TV.

Jessica: Can't help but smile at the rallycross feature about @JensonButton and Papa Smurf. Such a great feature.

BBC

You can watch that feature with Jenson Button and DC here.

BBC

Jenson Button's voice in this feature is brilliant, giggling like a child as he drives that Beetle.

Get involved - #bbcf1

Jenny in Neverland: Got me tea and cake, all ready for the #RussianGP! David & Eddie deffo ring each other beforehand to arrange what to wear #twins

Shark: Lots of talk on #BBCF1 about winners & championships decided already... maybe, but foolish to assume in this sport.

Button on BBC One

BBC One

BBC

Got BBC One on? Of course you have, but just in case you haven't pop it on now. This is a great feature involving Jenson Button. You can also watch it on this page don't forget.

I was lucky - Sainz

BBC

Some more from Carlos Sainz himself, who has been talking to the media at the track:

"I was for sure lucky that nothing happened to me but I am perfectly capable of doing the start and participating in the race and going for it."

'Car security sensational'

Eddie Jordan

BBC F1 chief analyst

The BBC TV team have been talking about Carlos Sainz's crash yesterday and, like everyone, are delighted to see the Spaniard in Sochi to take part in the race.

"The security of the driver in the car is sensational and has never been better," said Eddie Jordan.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

Getty Images

"It’s only three weeks since Sebastian Vettel’s dominant victory in the Singapore Grand Prix and the fact that the same two tyres were being used there as this weekend in Russia led to speculation that perhaps Ferrari would be a threat to Mercedes again in Sochi. 

"Nico Rosberg said he though the red cars would be ‘close’. But they weren’t - Vettel qualified fourth, also behind Williams’s Valtteri Bottas and more than 0.4secs off pole. Vettel said: ‘I don’t know, as qualifying progressed I lost a little bit of feeling and didn’t manage to put the lap together in the end.’ 

"The four-time champion added: ‘I think it is possible to fight with Williams. I believe we have a very good car so it should be a good race: I’m actually very confident. As for Mercedes, I think they have been more or less one second away but I also think tomorrow it will be a lot closer, I expect that the gap will be smaller. We’ll see what we can do.’” 

Get involved - #bbcf1

Not sure about these new-look F1 cars...

What the papers say

The Sunday Times say pole-sitter Nico Rosberg could have a choice to make at the first corner today if Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton attempts to overtake him like he did in Japan:

'Rosberg faces an extremely difficult situation whenever Hamilton uses aggressive wheel-to-wheel moves on him. The opening few seconds of today's race could well place him in this situation again - potentially forcing him to decide if he's content to accept he's essentially a number two driver.'

Sunday Times

Nigel Mansell won the Spanish Grand Prix at the circuit de catalunya in 1991 and 1992

Lewis Hamilton could become just the ninth driver to win the first two Grands Prix at a circuit new to F1.

The others are:

• Sebastian Vettel (India, Abu Dhabi)
• Michael Schumacher (TI Aida)
• Nigel Mansell (Barcelona, Magny-Cours)
• Nelson Piquet (Imola, Hungaroring)
• Carlos Reutemann (Rio)
• Emerson Fittipaldi (Interlagos, Nivelles)
• Jackie Stewart (Montjuic Park)
• Alberto Ascari (Nurburgring, Zandvoort)

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"I think it's going to be very difficult for anyone to challenge the Mercedes. The exciting thing is we know that Lewis isn't going to sit back and take the points - he is going to go for it."

Get involved #bbcf1

Get Involved #bbcf1

That is how the grid shapes up, so what are your podium predictions? Let us know via #bbcf1, text in on 81111 (UK only) or post them on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

THE GRID

1) Rosberg 2) Hamilton 3) Bottas 4) Vettel 5) Raikkonen 6) Hulkenberg 7) Perez 8) Grosjean 9) Verstappen 10) Ricciardo

11) Kvyat 12) Nasr 13) Button 14) Maldonado 15) Massa 16) Ericsson 17) Stevens 18) Merhi 19) Alonso 20) Sainz

Getty Images

You never know at the start - Hamilton

Formula 1

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton is second on the grid behind his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and believes leapfrogging the German at the start is his best chance of winning.

"The great thing about racing is you never know what happens at the start. I'll try to get away as clean as possible," he said.

"The start is where you can a big difference."

Stoffel Vandoorne was this morning crowned GP2 champion. What next for the Belgian? Formula 1 in 2016?

An unwanted record

Getty Images

John Watson at the 1981 British GP

I know, I know. I'm being presumptions here, but say McLaren don't win today, it will tie their all-time longest winless streak.

The 53-race run will equal the same interval between James Hunt’s 1977 Japanese GP win and John Watson’s 1981 British GP victory.

Best qualifying of the year - Button

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

Getty Images

“Jenson Button produced what he said was possibly his best qualifying performance of the year to get into second qualifying on merit (beating Fernando Alonso by more than 0.4secs) and end up 13th. He beat Fernando Alonso, who was quicker on the first runs, by more than 0.4secs, the Spaniard saying: ‘I was not fast enough. I felt better on the fist set of tyres; on the second I didn’t find the same grip. 

"But it will be a difficult race for both McLaren drivers. Button explained that Sochi is one of the tracks where the penalty of Honda’s shortage off hybrid boost - it runs out before the end of the straights, robbing the car of more than 160bhp - is at its biggest. ‘It costs us a lot of lap time around here and you also use more fuel because you have less deployment than other people,’ Button said, ‘so fuel is also an issue for us, in terms of not having enough in the car.’ 

"Alonso starts from the back after a grid penalty of 35 places for using too many engine components. Even if they are in good positions after the start, they face a very tough fight to stop rivals passing them on the straights.”

Live now

BBC One

BBC Sport

We are up and running with live build up to the race on BBC One, that fantastically familiar sound of The Chain making Sunday mornings that bit better once again right now. Remember you can also watch on this page too.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

“Fernando Alonso is celebrating his 250th grand prix this weekend, even though a couple of statistical anomalies mean it won’t actually be his 250th race, but rather the 249th or 248th, depending on how you look at it. Leaving that aside, the official F1 website put out a tweet about the Spaniard’s statistics last night that brought home just what a fantastic career he has had.

“Thirty-two wins - sixth in the all-time list; 97 podiums - third in history; 179 points finishes - second; 84 races led - fourth. Those are impressive enough, even before you start to think about how rarely Alonso has had the best car.

“And how rarely is that? Well, you can’t ever say it for sure. It’s arguable in his two title-winning years of 2005 (when Kimi Raikkonen’s McLaren was faster than his Renault, but less reliable) and 2006 (when the Renault and Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari were very close); and perhaps 2007 (even if the careers of the four drivers involved since suggest strongly that the Ferrari driven by Raikkonen and Felipe Massa was better than the McLaren driven by Alonso and Lewis Hamilton). Other than that? No.

"It’s Alonso's consistency, relentlessness, completeness and unquenchable racing spirit that impress even beyond his enormous talent. Not that he’s been able to demonstrate much of any of those qualities in this year’s McLaren-Honda.”

The bandana is back

The Spanish samurai is here again...

McLaren's Fernando Alonso may be starting from the back after his 35-place grid penalty but the Spaniard is in good spirits on the occasion of his 250th grand prix.

"We'll try to have some fun - we have nothing to lose so let's see how it goes."

Glock says hello

Former Toyota and Marussia driver Timo Glock is in Sochi working for German television and has made a visit to the Manor garage...

Get involved #bbcf1

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

Getty Images

Mercedes clinched the constructors' title in Sochi in 2014, and can do the same again this year

“Each Formula 1 season starts with two world titles up for grabs and it would be a major shock if one of them was not settled in Sochi this afternoon. 

"Mercedes need to score only three points more than Ferrari in this race to seal a second consecutive constructors’ title and with the front row locked about the silver cars and the Ferraris nowhere near them on pace, it is hard to see how that will not happen. 

"‘Of course the constructors’ championship is a really important target for us this weekend,’ said Nico Rosberg, who beat Lewis Hamilton to pole for only the third time in 15 races. ‘It would be amazing to clinch it for the second time so early on in the season – so we’re out to do that, but at the same time, of course, I’m out here to try to reduce the gap to Lewis in terms of points.’”

Whatever happens with regards to the battle between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton on the circuit in Sochi, Mercedes will, in all likelihood, be celebrating a world title today...

What the papers say

The Sun on Sunday focuses on Carlos Sainz's crash in practice and the reaction to it among the drivers, with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel describing it as "shocking to see" while McLaren's Jenson Button said: "We shouldn't be able to go under the barriers because then they are not doing what they are supposed to, which is slow you down before you hit something hard."

Sun on Sunday

I am going for it - Sainz

We're all delighted to see Carlos Sainz fit and well at the circuit and the Toro Rosso driver has been speaking in the drivers' parade about his accident and how he's feeling now:

"I feel good, I feel very positive and I really want to race - I am going for it.

"It was obviously very scary, maybe more from the outside. Just to let you know, I was always conscious and trying to get the barrier off my head and contact the team.

"I have to learn because I have only done 15 laps in the dry.

"I feel a bit stiff but I am OK."

Getty Images

Formula1.com

Is Carlos Sainz a little shaken up? I know I would be. Judging by his beaming smile during the drivers' parade I guess not...

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

“Understandably, the main topic of discussion after qualifying was the nasty accident suffered by Carlos Sainz - and in particular the fact that the car ended up underneath the Tecpro impact-absorbing barriers. Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel said: ‘It was shocking to see he was so deep in the barriers and that he was covered by barriers. The idea is for the barriers not to come on top of you or the car going under the barriers. It's something we need to understand.’ 

“Jenson Button said: ‘It definitely needs to be looked at. We shouldn’t be able to go underneath the barriers because then the barrier is not doing what it’s made to do, which is slow you down before you hit something hard. He did hit the Armco barrier and pushed that back quite a bit. Tecpro works very well if you hit it sideways on but with the nose of the car being quite low, it obviously just picked it up.  In that situation it’s perhaps not as good as other options. It’s a tricky one to know what the best compromise is and work out what is the best way forward. Safety is improving all the time and there is always room for improvement and we definitely need to see that as soon as possible.’

“Fernando Alonso, though, did point out that ‘after a big impact he is OK, so everything did the job, so there is a lot of positives from the accident.’”

BBC coverage

BBC One

Build-up and race coverage of theRussian Grand Prixgets under way onBBC Oneat 11:00 BST, with commentary onBBC Radio 5 livefrom 11:55 BST. You can also watch and/or listen online via this page too.

The race itself gets under way at 12:00 BST.

BBC

You can see how Carlos Sainz's crash unfolded here.

Sainz to race after crash

AP

The main talking point from yesterday was a huge crash for Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz.

There was a bit of concern initially as it took time for the Spaniard to be removed from his car but not only did he come out of it uninjured, but he has also been passed fit to race today. 

A high-speed crash into a barrier one day, back in the car the next. Amazing.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

“Lewis Hamilton was not very happy to have been beaten by Nico Rosberg to pole but it did not knock his confidence that he can turn the tables in the race - just as he did two weeks ago in Japan when starting second. 

"‘Obviously Nico did a better job in qualifying but I feel there’s still all to play for, as you’ve seen in many other races where I’ve started second. I think it’s exciting. It makes the race ever more exciting and it’s a long, long way down to Turn One. Probably one of the longest ones of the whole year so it should create opportunities. But there are other opportunities throughout the race as well.’ 

"Neither driver expects to give the other much quarter. ‘Nothing changes anything,’ Rosberg said. ‘It’s one way and that’s it.’”

Getty Images

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Russian Grand Prix.

Nico Rosberg might be on pole but he and the rest of the grid will, to an extent, be stepping into the unknown. 

With a fuel spillage, rain and a crash cutting short drivers' time on the circuit in all three practice sessions, today could prove to be a bit of a lottery.

Win or bust?

Getty Images

Time is running out for Nico Rosberg.

With five races to go and a 48-point gap to close down, the German knows he must start making up significant ground on Lewis Hamilton sooner, rather than later.

Starting on pole at today's Russian Grand Prix, he might not get a better chance to do just that...