"We don't think there will be a big advantage doing the cool down laps but we think you can do it."

Claire Cottingham
BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

What happened to Sergio Perez?

One of the mechanics said in the most technical terms: "he made his round tyres square" that's what's happened to Sergio Perez.

Max Verstappen has posted the third quickest time of the session so far running on a medium compound of tyre.

Looks like yesterday's surprise top time in the second practice session was no flash in the pan...

Image source, Getty Images

Rain might be predicted, but Sochi looks dry at present as Lewis Hamilton gets some track time before the predicted showers.

Image source, Reuters

"Are we still 1.1 behind? Dunno how we gonna get that back..."

Tracey Pankhurst: the first special @JolyonPalmer Silverstone helmet is actually one of my favourite helmets ever because of the British icons printed all over it.

Martin Murtagh: F1 does need some changes to spice up on track action but it should not become a spec series like Indycar...

"Brake temp critical. Brake temp critical."

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

Image source, Reuters

Not many people would have put money on Max Verstappen topping the times in Friday practice in Russia, a track where Red Bull have never scored so much as a podium.

But the Dutchman was super-impressive, heading Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.3secs.

“It was very positive and the car worked really well on both tyres," he said.

"When you have a good feeling with the car it comes alive in the last sector, which is really nice after the strange weekend we had in Singapore.

"It looks like it may rain tomorrow so that will also mix things up but hopefully the car will also work well in those conditions.”

Team-mate Alex Albon had a less good day. In FP1, he was actually slightly quicker than Verstappen, but his second session went awry when he ran over a kerb and damaged the floor, which cost him track time while it was repaired, and that meant he was out trying to do quick laps while everyone else was chugging around on high fuel, so he did not get a clean lap in.

But he was optimistic of a good weekend.

Stoo G: Any time for a quick "Guess whose special helmet this is" quiz? If anyone can mention the specific Grand Prix it was used at, you can win precisely stuff all

"This game is great for radio" says Jack...

Stoo G: Berger's special helmet was "the product of a competition run by an Italian newspaper", apparently. Beats a selection of bargain bin VHSs and £20, which is probably what a British paper would have offered at the time

Image source, Twitter

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

Image source, Getty Images

Charles Leclerc was very encouraged after Friday practice.

He was slower than Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, but well clear of everyone else, and the Ferrari looked particularly good in race trim, which has usually been a bit of a relative weakness this season.

“We have been strong on the race pace, which is probably our strongest race pace since the beginning of the season so that’s positive,” Leclerc said.

“It was quite a good day. Red Bull are quite strong but we focused on ourselves and there is quite a lot of lap time to be gained on our side.

"The balance was not exactly how I wanted it to be, especially on the qualifying runs, but race pace looks very strong so that’s good.”

Team-mate Sebastian Vettel was 0.7secs off Leclerc but did not sound too concerned.

“It was a bit strange in the afternoon, I just didn’t get a great feel but nothing to worry about," he said.

"It was a bit disruptive, not completely happy and not really finding the rhythm but I am sure tomorrow it will be fine.

"The car was good at some stage today so I am pretty confident it will be (on Saturday).”

Shall we recap on yesterday?

Claire Cottingham
BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

Daniil Kvyat has come back to the garage, but the car isn't here yet. He looks quite happy!

The team haven't confirmed what has happened but they said "soon" they should be able to explain what's going on.

LH: "Have we got time for a double cool down lap or not?"

"Yes, I'll update you."

I'm back (Niamh). I let my apprentice loose with the live text and he hashtags #strollforpole...

Anyway... Charles Leclerc, is top on the softs and Max Verstappen has just gone second on the medium tyres 0.4 sec off him.

"Engine, engine, engine. I have engine problem."

Image source, Getty Images

Daniil Kvyat has stopped on trackpublished at 10:21 British Summer Time 28 September 2019

10:21 BST 28 September 2019

He stopped yesterday due to engine problems, and he already has a grid penalty for using new parts for the race tomorrow.

Gasly's shifting... As is Norris who's top, four tenths up on Hamilton at the moment.

Told you McLaren were getting better and better. ;)

Image source, Getty Images

"Just to confirm that the Astro turf is damp on track, as is the pit entry."

Maybe they should just have permanently wet Astro instead of sausage kerbs?

"I am hearing a very strong noise when I'm down-shifting. Can you double check?"

We're under way in final practice by the way - except it sounds like Kvyat's about to be anything but. Again. Poor lad had some sort of engine nightmare yesterday as well.