Jack Leslie F1: 2014 Russian Grand Prix in pictures

The Sochi Autodrom hosted the inaugural Russian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton taking a dominant win.

The new circuit produced some stunning photography, but not particularly great racing. Here is the inaugural Russian Grand Prix weekend in pictures.

Friday

Out of respect for the injured Jules Bianchi, Marussia chose to run just one car in the Russian Grand Prix. The Frenchman's MR03 remained alone in the garage throughout the weekend. #ForzaJules

Nico Rosberg set the pace in the first ever F1 practice session at the Sochi Autodrom, as drivers got to grips with the new track.

Lewis Hamilton moved to the top of the timesheets in second practice, finishing eight tenths clear of Kevin Magnussen.

McLaren looked more competitive on Friday in Russia, with Jenson Button and Magnussen impressing on both high and low fuel runs.

Toro Rosso surprised many by featuring well within the top 10 in Friday's two practice sessions.

Saturday

Third and final practice on Saturday morning saw Hamilton set the fastest time. He had been on course to better his quickest lap when he spun at turn 17.

Marcus Ericsson put in an impressive performance in qualifying. He was 17th fastest, just missing out on a spot in Q2. The Swedish rookie's best lap was five tenths faster than his team-mate Kamui Kobayashi's best attempt.

Pastor Maldonado suffered a disastrous qualifying session. A power failure and gearbox issue meant he could only manage 20th, and a gearbox change dropped him to 21st.

Both Force India drivers were eliminated from qualifying in Q2, with Nico Hulkenberg in 12th and Sergio Perez in 14th.

Sebastian Vettel failed to make it out of the Q2 drop-zone with his final lap and finished the session in 11th place.

Hamilton took pole position in Q3 by two tenths of a second from Rosberg, with Valtteri Bottas in third.

Kvyat impressed by qualifying fifth for his home event, behind Button and ahead of Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo and Alonso.

Sunday

It was an emotional build-up to the Russian Grand Prix, with some lovely tributes being made to the injured Bianchi by Marussia, the rest of the 2014 grid and other teams.

The race got off to a dramatic start, with Rosberg locking up into turn two as he attempted to take the lead. He was forced to pit at the end of lap one for new tyres, with Hamilton re-claiming first place.

The field cleanly made it through turn two on the first lap, although it was very close. Several drivers followed Rosberg onto the run-off area.

Hamilton quickly established a strong lead, as the drivers in the midfield battled closely for position.

The Red Bull duo battled closely in the early stages, with Ricciardo eventually jumping ahead of Vettel in the pit stop phase.

The medium and soft Pirelli tyres suffered very little degradation and wear, meaning most of the grid completed a one-stop race.

Toro Rosso suffered a disastrous race, with Vergne and Kvyat slipping to 13th and 14th by the chequered flag thanks to fuel conservation.

Alonso had a good first lap but he couldn't keep up with the McLarens and finished sixth, just ahead of Ricciardo.

Ericsson finished 19th, while Kobayashi retired mid-way through the race. He claimed it was to conserve mileage, while the team said it was due to brake problems.

Perez did well in the closing stages of the race to hold back Felipe Massa, who started 18th, pitted on the first lap and completed a two-stop strategy. The Force India driver picked up the final point.

Marussia's emotional weekend ended in disappointment, with Max Chilton retiring on lap nine with a problem with the right-rear of his MR03.

At the front of the field, Hamilton registered win number nine of 2014 and dedicated it to Bianchi.

Rosberg recovered to second place, with Bottas in third, Button in fourth and Magnussen in fifth. The one-two finish meant Mercedes wrapped up the constructors' title.

13 October 2014

2014 Russian Grand Prix in pictures

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