Sebastian Vettel: "Sochi is one of the most difficult circuits on the calendar"
Sebastian Vettel will hope to back up his race win last time out in Singapore with another strong result in Russia this weekend. Ferrari have been fast since the summer break and will hope to launch a bid on the championship.
“We have raced several times in Russia. It is another circuit where we have come close to a victory, but have never really succeeded," Vettel said in his race preview. "I started in the front row two years ago, Ferrari then took the front row ... However, we want to take the satisfaction of the last step and really win there."
Sochi first appeared on the calendar in 2014 and Mercedes has been the big winner at Sochi Autodrom ever since. The team has won five of the five races there. Ferrari will hope to keep up their winning streak at the circuit.
“Driving alongside the Olympic Stadium remains a special occasion - that makes it a unique setting anyway. Many turns are very similar, but each is very technical and challenging - because it is about finding the braking point, as well as coming up with the best way to steer the car in and out, while you also keep an eye on the tyres.
"From a technical point of view, this is one of the most difficult circuits of the calendar, but it is satisfying as soon as you succeed in driving the perfect fast lap, all the more during qualifying."
Ferrari have won every race since the summer and they will be aiming to keep this impressive record going.