How to watch F1: 2021 Russian Grand Prix start time and TV schedule

F1

TV start times, free-to-air coverage and live streams for the 2021 Russian Grand Prix

2021 Russian GP

Sochi is likely to be hit by torrential rain this weekend

Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

Could the unthinkable happen? No, not another Max Verstappen/Lewis Hamilton collision but an entertaining Russian Grand Prix.

There is a deluge of rain predicted to fall from Friday to Sunday, with Saturday qualifying looking likely to be hit hardest by torrential rain that has already flooded the support paddock at Sochi.

Everyone will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the Belgian Grand Prix washout earlier this season but the variable of wet weather can only be a good thing for what is typically a straight-forward affair around the Olympic park circuit.

Verstappen will be dealing with a grid penalty following the crash with his title rival but he could start at the very back if Red Bull opts to take a grid penalty.

Hamilton meanwhile will need to make up for the lost points of Monza, a track that suited Mercedes over its rivals. Where better to strike back then that at a circuit the team is currently undefeated around.

Weather permitting, here are all the times and TV channels you need to know to watch the 2021 Russian Grand Prix.

 

How many laps is the Russian Grand Prix?

The 2021 Russian Grand Prix will take place over 53 laps of the Sochi Autodrom circuit.

 

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1 is the place to catch every session live this weekend from Sochi, with every practice session, qualifying and the race sandwiched with pre and post-session coverage. Free Practice 1 will also be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event though will be the only session available on that channel across the weekend.

Highlights will be on Channel 4 as usual on Saturday and Sunday evening. You can also rewatch the highlights on All4.

 

Sky Sports F1 – Live

Friday: FP1 – 9am | FP2 – 12:45pm

Saturday: FP3 – 9:45pm | Qualifying: 12:30pm

Sunday: Race – 11:30pm

Channel 4 – Highlights

Saturday: Qualifying – 5:50pm

Sunday: Race – 5:30pm

 

How to stream

NowTV will stream each and every session from the Russian Grand Prix weekend and is available to access with a weekend pass. Sky Sports F1’s broadcast will be available to stream on mobile, tablet and smart TV devices through the NowTV app.

 

Who will win?

On paper, Lewis Hamilton is surely the favourite for this weekend. He is contending for the 2021 title, Mercedes has never not won the Russian Grand Prix and he’s won two of the last three races around Sochi.

To add to his advantage, Max Verstappen is facing a three-place grid penalty for the pair’s crash during the Italian Grand Prix after being deemed predominantly at fault for the incident. The Dutch driver also has the knowledge that a grid penalty is looming for fresh power unit components as Red Bull hope to maximise the Honda power unit from now until the end of the season.

However, there are plenty of variables at play as the paddock prepares for this weekend’s race.

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2021 Russian Grand Prix what to watch for
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2021 Russian Grand Prix what to watch for

Could the Russian Grand Prix be exciting? Possibly. Verstappen and Hamilton resume their F1 title battle this weekend in Sochi

By Jake Williams-Smith

Team-mate Valtteri Bottas has been in fine form lately, securing a brilliant podium at Monza despite starting at the back of the pack following his grid penalty for a fresh power unit.

The Finn was the one to claim pole position both on Friday and during Saturday’s sprint, and has recorded back-to-back podiums in the most recent two rounds of the season. He also has a great record around Sochi, securing two of his nine F1 wins around the Russian circuit.

On top of all of that, rain is forecast to play a major role throughout the weekend, with a downpour expected on Saturday and wet practice on Friday a possibility. The rain could even materialise during Sunday afternoon, meaning the first wet weather race at Sochi could happen to add further drama to an already intriguing battle between championship contenders.

Verstappen is not out of the reckoning with his three-place grid penalty for the crash in Italy and has form for scything his way through the pack in Russia, finishing a respectable fifth back in 2018 and ultimately has the fastest car at this point in the season.

Wet weather will also surely play into the Dutchman’s hands. He won the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix earlier in the season after seeing off Hamilton’s threat.

If Hamilton can’t claw points back this weekend, Red Bull will have plenty of momentum to carry into the final leg of the 2021 season.

 

2021 Russian Grand Prix session times

Friday

Free Practice 1: 09:30 – 10:30

Free Practice 2: 13:00 – 14:00

Saturday

Free Practice 3: 10:00 – 11:00

Qualifying: 13:00 – 14:00

Sunday

Race: 13:0015:00