Heavy Rain Causes Unexpected Results in Irkutsk

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time
1	2	Lewis Hamilton		1:12.819
2	1	Sebastian Vettel		1:13.503
3	62	Dave Cassidy		1:13.710
4	63	Jules Bianchi		1:13.748
5	90	Daniel Ricciardo		1:13.275
6	31	Rhys Davies		1:13.322
7	55	Artem Markelov		1:13.459
8	6	Ma Qinghua		1:13.477
9	42	Davide Valsecchi		1:13.604
10	67	Pierre Gasly		1:13.639
11	66	Josef Newgarden		1:13.453
12	22	Johnny Cecotto Jr.		1:13.565
13	98	Salvatore Miccoli		1:13.598
14	28	Marcel Agyemang-Badu		1:13.732
15	27	Nathan McKane		1:13.841
16	11	Jérôme d'Ambrosio		1:14.026
17	99	Kevin Magnussen		1:14.275
18	5	Valtteri Bottas		1:14.357
19	29	Pastor Maldonado		1:15.134
20	43	Sébastien Bourdais		1:15.163
21	32	Daniel Melrose		1:15.240
22	21	Stoffel Vandoorne		1:15.333
23	30	André Lotterer		1:15.550
24	91	Einar Ármannsson		1:15.563
25	12	Scott Dixon		1:15.844
26	56	Bradley Dagnall		1:16.613

* demoted five places for changing engine/gearbox

Report:

Russia was not particulary welcoming to the Formula One circus. Perhaps understandable, given as this may be the last Russian Grand Prix in a long time. Rain, however, was a very valueable asset for some drivers. Not for nothing it is known in Formula One circles as “the big equaliser” and that was the role it served as.

Qualfiying was a reasonably predictable affair out top, with both Caterhams being ahead the Precisions. Behind them, some drivers had a very successful run: unexpected names such as Chinese rookie Ma Qinghua were able to progress further in qualifying as they usually did which set the stage for a thrilling race.

Indeed it turned out to be an astonishing event. Outside of Lewis Hamilton being untouchable in the very heavy rain, all positions were on the line. Due to a failure to pay attention at the end of the SC phase to open this Grand Prix, even Sebastian Vettel had to fight hard, having to overcome a ruthless Daniel Ricciardo to get on the podium.

Unfortunately, two teams stuggled heavily in the wet weather: both Haas and Sauber were completely unable to get a proper rain setup ready and that resulted in a very bad race, not helped by Maldonado and Vandoorne colliding. Their failure played into Calinetic’s and Williams’ hands, both teams able to score some good points.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Points
1	2	Lewis Hamilton		60:47.040	17
2	62	Dave Cassidy		+23.331	12
3	1	Sebastian Vettel		+24.219	10
4	90	Daniel Ricciardo		+34.349	8
5	63	Jules Bianchi		+36.503	6
6	31	Rhys Davies		+39.746	5
7	55	Artem Markelov		+51.705	4
8	6	Ma Qinghua		+57.918	3
9	67	Pierre Gasly		+60.438	2
10	98	Salvatore Miccoli		+70.927	1
11	28	Marcel Agyemang-Badu		+78.242	0
12	11	Jérôme d'Ambrosio		+79.749	0
13	99	Kevin Magnussen		+81.292	0
14	27	Nathan McKane		+1 Lap	0
15	66	Josef Newgarden		+1 Lap	0
16	42	Davide Valsecchi		+1 Lap	0
17	32	Daniel Melrose		+1 Lap	0
18	29	Pastor Maldonado		+1 Lap	0
19	22	Johnny Cecotto Jr.		+1 Lap	0
20	21	Stoffel Vandoorne		+1 Lap	0
21	12	Scott Dixon		+1 Lap	0
22	91	Einar Ármannsson		+1 Lap	0
23	30	André Lotterer		+1 Lap	0
24	43	Sébastien Bourdais		+1 Lap	0
DNF	56	Bradley Dagnall		Engine	0
DNF	5	Valtteri Bottas		Oil Leak	0

Fastest Lap:

Lewis Hamilton – 1:20.240

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Rhys Davies – old F1 star was able to remind everyone of his greatness as a driver.

Reject Of The Race:

Sauber-Judd – everyone knows the Swiss team can do a lot better than this.