This is what you need to know about the Russian Grand Prix

Is Ferrari's fourth strike in a row or can Mercedes strike back? Before the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday, almost everything is focused on the next duel between the two leading Formula 1 racing teams. The Italians have never been able to win in Sochi - just like four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel from Germany. Mercedes is favorite, but they were already in Singapore... What is the mood at Ferrari after the race in Singapore? Tense. Vettel's first triumph in over a year also brought great relief. The circumstances are likely to keep the Italians busy for a while longer. Charles Leclerc felt cheated out of the triumph and sulked after his second place, which felt like a defeat. On Sunday, the strategists surprisingly brought Vettel into the pits first to change tires and thus guided the German to victory. The fight for supremacy at Ferrari is still in full swing because of this situation. Will Mercedes achieve their first victory after the summer break? Possible. The Silver Arrows have not won in three races and were defeated by Ferrari in each of them. This is a fairly unusual situation for world champion Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. However, the route through the Olympic Park for the 2014 Winter Games suits Mercedes: since the premiere in 2014 there have only been victories for the works team. Ferrari, on the other hand, is still waiting for its first success. Vettel's best results are two second places (2015, 2017).

<a data-caption="Hamilton konnte zwar schon länger keinen Sieg mehr eingefahren, um den WM-Titel braucht sich der Brite aber nicht sonderlich sorgen. © APA/afp / ROSLAN RAHMAN" data-fancybox="inline-57030" target="_image" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1280x1280/img/2019/09/hamilton-ist-zwar-schon-laenger-keinen-sieg-mehr-eingefahren-um-den-wm-titel-braucht-sich-der-brite-aber-nicht-sonderlich-sorgen.jpg"> Hamilton hasn't been able to win for a while, but the Brit doesn't have to worry too much about the world title. © APA/afp / ROSLAN RAHMAN

Does Lewis Hamilton still have to fear for his world title? Pretty sure not. A third place in each of the remaining six races would be enough to ultimately become champion again. If everything goes perfectly, the 34-year-old Brit can even make it clear in the race after next in Japan. However, the competition would also have to play its part. Hamilton (296 points) does not have to fear any resistance from his teammate Bottas (231), his first rival Leclerc, like Max Verstappen in the Red Bull (both 200), is enormously behind, Vettel (194) is even further behind. What makes the track in Sochi so special? Just a few months before the Sochi premiere in 2014, the Winter Olympics took place around the 5,848 kilometer long course. Bolshoi Ice Palace, Fisht Stadium and the mountain peaks of the Caucasus in the background - the Black Sea health resort so popular with Russians offers the PR images desired by the organizers. 18 curves and 61 percent full throttle are waiting for the drivers. The tires are not put under such strain, the asphalt is quite smooth.

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This is what you need to know about the Russian Grand Prix

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