Turn Three is a belter.

Image source, Getty Images

Sergio Perez goes off the track at Turn Two.

1. Bottas
2. Albon
3. Hamilton
4. Ricciardo
5. Perez
6. Leclerc
7. Vettel
8. Norris
9. Sainz
10. Hulkenberg

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

Image source, Getty Images

There is a sense right now of the balance of power shifting within Formula 1.

Lewis Hamilton’s championship position is strong enough to be effectively unassailable, but it is four races since his last win and Ferrari have taken all those in between.

Sebastian Vettel’s victory in Singapore brought everyone up short - even Ferrari, who had not expected to be so competitive at Marina Bay. So Hamilton comes to Russia, a track with two long straights where the Ferraris can stretch their formidable legs, playing down his chances.

“We are conscious of the position we are in,” he said. “We know how fast Ferrari have been on the straights. I don’t think we are going to be favourites at any of the next six races but that doesn’t mean we can’t win.

"If we get the car in the right position in qualifying and then qualify in the right position. We have been stronger generally in most of the races. Positioning is really everything.”

Valtteri Bottas just almost ran over a bird.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

Image source, Getty Images

Charles Leclerc says he regrets what he believes was an over-reaction when he questioned Ferrari's team strategy at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Leclerc had led but was passed by team-mate - and eventual winner - Sebastian Vettel during the pit-stop period when the team gave the German priority.

At the time, the Monegasque said on the team radio: "What the hell?"

"My reaction was well over what it should be and it shows I still have a lot to learn," he said on Thursday.

Leclerc is in only his second season in F1 - and his first at Ferrari - but he has been emerging as the de facto team leader in the second part of the campaign.

The 21-year-old has out-qualified Vettel for eight races in a row and had won the past two grands prix before Singapore, where he was on course for a third consecutive win before Ferrari's strategy intervened, and the German took the victory.

Read the full story.

Minor yellow flag for a moment there.

Mercedes are back on top with Hamilton and Bottas 0.143 sec apart, with Leclerc +0.444 sec and Vettel +0.613.

Image source, Reuters

Wakey wakey

All the Red Bull drivers will start at the back of the grid due to engine upgrades, anyway.

Imagine being in charge of a country and deciding you want to host a big sporting event. You have so much space in said country that you can close your eyes, point your finger at a map and then put an order in for an Olympic stadium to be built there, if you want.

Then imagine deciding you might want to host Formula 1. So you think, ‘Hey, I’ll have a word with my friend Bernie, and maybe make use of this Olympic park that we’re never going to use again and turn it into a race circuit’. That's basically what happened, and the Olympic park is now only really useful for four days a year when Formula 1 rocks up in Russia.

That’s Sochi.

Image source, Getty Images

Carlos Sainz goes wide, and Antonio Giovinazzi spins at Turn Four.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

Honda have definitely improved this season there's no doubt about that they probably started the year a little bit ahead of Renault.

Renault now have the third best engine they've leap-frogged ahead again.

Lewis Hamilton has a wobble and goes off track. "My brakes aren't working properly..." he says.

Image source, Reuters

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live

Hamilton's just gone a little bit wide down at Turn Two, going around the bollards.

Too late on the brakes and too much speed into the corner.

Jack Nicholls
BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator

We've got Leclerc and Vettel just leaving the pits now for their out lap on soft tyres.

Lewis Hamilton is also heading out now.

We will see what Hamilton has, also on a new set of soft tyres.

Image source, Reuters

Bob McFeil, Esq.: My wish for Singapore was listened to: Vettel winning a race. Updated wish: Both McLarens in the points. Does Lady luck strike twice?

Daniil Kvyat grinds to a haltpublished at 09:28 British Summer Time 27 September 2019

09:28 BST 27 September 2019

"It's gone guys, I'm sorry." he says on the radio.

Virtual safety car.

Some lap times then:

1. Ricciardo 1:37.605
2. Albon +0.048
3. Kvyat +0.945
4. Sainz +1.088
5. Gasly +1.583

Lewis Hamilton heading out on the track.

Image source, Reuters

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

All four drivers from the Red Bull and Toro Rosso teams will be hit with grid penalties at the Russian Grand Prix.

Engine partner Honda has decided to fit all four cars with new engines to ensure they are in the best competitive shape for the subsequent race at its home in Japan.

In Sochi, Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon and Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly drop five places on the grid.

Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat will start at the back for his home race on Sunday.

The penalties are all for exceeding the permitted number of engine parts for a season.

Read the full story here.

Image source, Reuters