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.

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

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

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."

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.

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.

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...

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!

Image source, 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.