Force India driver fastest but diesel spill on Sochi track delays start and makes for tricky conditions
Friday 9 October 2015 11:38, UK
Nico Hulkenberg was fastest in opening practice for the Russian GP in Sochi after a diesel spill on track delayed the start.
A late lap of 1:44.355s from the Force India driver enabled him to take top spot, but the spill - farcically caused by a cleaning vehicle simultaneously leaking either diesel or hydraulic fluid early on Friday morning - meant that little meaning could be drawn from the session.
With marshals out in force frantically brushing the track, the decision was taken to delay the start by 30 minutes, meaning the session was also shortened to an hour's length. And with cars moving gingerly through the affected areas - Turns Eight and Nine - the times were hardly representative.
"It's a mess," declared Sebastian Vettel, perhaps not just literally. The conditions were such that cars initially went out on wet weather tyres, and the Ferrari driver was one of many to indulge in a quick spin.
Lewis Hamilton was another, with the world champion and current leader losing control of his Mercedes not long before the chequered flag fell. By that stage everyone was on slick tyres and the times fell rapidly as conditions improved.
Nico Rosberg was second fastest, although the Mercedes driver probably learnt more from the race starts - which arguably cost him victory to Hamilton in the Japanese GP two weeks ago - he practiced during the session.
Vettel was third ahead of Sergio Perez, with Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz next up ahead of Hamilton.
Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen completed the top 10, just ahead of Jenson Button, who topped the times together with McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso midway through.
Second practice starts at 2pm local time (12 noon BST) although with clouds gathering during the morning, conditions might prove tricky once again.
Practice One timesheet:
1. N Hulkenberg, Force India, 1:44.355.
2. N Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:44.407.
3. S Vettel, Ferrari, 1:44.986.
4. S Perez, Force India, 1:45.146.
5. D Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1:45.233.
6. C Sainz, Toro Rosso, 1:45.488.
7. L Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:45.691.
8. V Bottas, Williams, 1:45.746.
9. M Verstappen, Toro Rosso, 1:46.203.
10. K Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:46.215.
11. J Button, McLaren, 1:46.231.
12. F Massa, Williams, 1:46.333.
13. F Nasr, Sauber, 1:46.747.
14. F Alonso, McLaren, 1:47.443.
15. P Maldonado, Lotus, 1:48.006.
16. D Kvyat, Red Bull, 1:48.096.
17. J Palmer, Lotus, 1:49.094.
18. R Merhi, Manor, 1:52.994.
19. M Ericsson, Sauber, 1:54.272.
20. W Stevens, Manor, 1:58.254.
Don't miss Sky Sports F1's live weekend-long coverage of the 2015 Russian Grand Prix. Our race-day show begins at 10.30am on Sunday, with lights out at 12 noon. Watch the Russian GP for £6.99 with NOW TV
