Summary

  • Hamilton fastest in second practice, Vettel 2nd

  • Vettel out after Ferrari stops on track

  • Final practice & qualifying from 10:00 BST on Saturday

  1. Live radio coveragepublished at 07:56 British Summer Time 29 April 2016

    Russian GP

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    We have full commentary of every session this weekend across BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and online.

    FP1 is live now - here's the full schedule:

    Practice 1: 07:55 BST

    Practice 2: 11:55 BST

    Practice 3: 09:55 BST

    Qualifying: 12:55 BST

    Race: 12:30 BST

  2. Postpublished at 07:54 British Summer Time 29 April 2016

    We'll get a good look at the aeroscreen in FP1, which begins in seven minutes' time.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:51 British Summer Time 29 April 2016

    #bbcf1

    AeroImage source, .

    So, halo or aeroscreen?

    Either of these float your boat?

    Hamilton says the aeroscreen looks like a riot shield. If I had a tyre flying towards my head at 100mph, I'd quite fancy a riot shied in the way.

    But it certainly takes away from the look of the car.

    What do you prefer?

    Halo, aeroscreen or any other suggestions? Give us your thoughts using #bbcf1 on Twitter.

  4. 'It looks like a riot shield'published at 07:47 British Summer Time 29 April 2016

    Andrew Benson
    Chief F1 writer

    "The general view in the paddock seems to be that the Red Bull solution to head protection is a better aesthetic solution to the problem of cockpit head protection than the halo, but at least one person is not so sure. Lewis Hamilton said: 'If they're going to do this, close the cockpit like a fighter jet. Don't half-arse it. Go one way or the other. That screen looks so bad. It looks like a bloody riot shield. You've got this cool, elegant futuristic Formula 1 car, and you've got a riot shield sitting on top of it.'

    "Hamilton, it should be said, is no fan of the concept of extra head protection itself. And he says safety is a 'constant thing that always needs to be worked on - as long as it doesn't affect the aesthetics, the style and the coolness of Formula 1'. However, he is clear an element of danger should always remain. 'You look at Formula 1 as a kid and think: 'These guys, they're crazy, they could die at any moment’. Everyone comes to me who's just started watching Formula 1 and says: ‘Oh, it's so dangerous.’ That's a large part of why they are so in awe of what you do. Take away all that and that person could do it, almost.”

  5. Aeroscreen passes first hurdlepublished at 07:42 British Summer Time 29 April 2016

    Andrew Benson
    Chief F1 writer

    "Many eyes at the start of the session will be on the new “aeroscreen” running on Daniel Ricciardo’s car. This is Red Bull’s version of driver head protection, the device they would prefer on aesthetic grounds F1 to use in place of the “halo” which was tested by Ferrari during the winter and has until now been the front-runner.

    "The Red Bull device has passed its first hurdle - it performed satisfactorily enough in FIA tests in deflecting a 20kg tyre and wheel assembly fired at it at 225km/h to be considered as the solution the FIA will adopt.

    "But there remain questions as to how the screen - and therefore visibility - would be affected by debris and wet weather. Red Bull believe they have solutions to this - a combination of tear-off strips that can be removed at pit stops and a surface that repels water, as well as coating for the inside to reduce glare. These are not considered by the FIA to be potential deal breakers."

  6. Red Bull's new 'aeroscreen' causes controversypublished at 07:39 British Summer Time 29 April 2016

    Red Bull will try out their version of cockpit head protection in today's first practice. The device, called the 'aeroscreen', is one of two options that could be introduced into Formula 1 next season to increase safety - an alternative to the 'halo' system.

    Daniel Ricciardo climbs into his car with the "aeroscreen"Image source, Getty Images

    Daniel Ricciardo - who will drive the car with the new device - is cautiously optimistic about its viability. "So far, the impression with it is that it should be OK, visibility-wise," he said. "It's pretty open at the front and it doesn't really block the vision."

    However, Lewis Hamilton isn't happy (is he ever?) with the new device. "That screen looks so bad," he said. "It looks like a riot shield. You've got this cool, elegant, futuristic Formula 1 car, and you've got a riot shield sitting on top of it."

  7. Sochi preview showpublished at 07:37 British Summer Time 29 April 2016

    Russian GP

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Want to hear things as well as read things?

    Our F1 team are live on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra right now - and you can listen by using the Live Coverage button on this page.

  8. Rollercoaster season?published at 07:35 British Summer Time 29 April 2016

    SochiImage source, Rex Features

    And, so, we roll on from the Chinese GP to Russia and Sochi, where president Vladimir Putin goes to chill out and have fun.

    That's right, Putin likes to kick back now and again. Here he is looking totally chillaxed with an equally casual horse. This kind of candid moment could only happen in Sochi.

    It has a theme park too. Which is awesome.

    PutinImage source, reu
  9. I'm fed up of seeing the back of you...published at 07:29 British Summer Time 29 April 2016

    PodiumImage source, Getty Images

    Unusual scenes these for Lewis Hamilton.

    For so long, his opponents have seen his well-groomed silhouette on the horizon, skipping like Morecambe and Wise to the gleeful beat of Bring Me Sunshine.

    But a sensational six from team-mate Nico Rosberg have had the Brit chasing the German's shadow.

    Thirty-six points is the difference between the two at the top of the standings - 18 races remaining, 25 points for a win.

    There's only one thing for certain - nothing is for certain.