2018 Russian Grand Prix
The 2018 Russian Grand Prix (officially the Formula 1 2018 VTB Russian Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race held on 30 September 2018 at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi, Russia. The race was the 16th round of the 2018 Formula One World Championship and marked the 7th running of the Russian Grand Prix and the 5th time the race had been held in Sochi.
| 2018 Russian Grand Prix | |||||
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Race 16 of 21 in the 2018 Formula One World Championship
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Layout of the Sochi Autodrom | |||||
| Race details | |||||
| Date | 30 September 2018 | ||||
| Official name | Formula 1 2018 VTB Russian Grand Prix | ||||
| Location |
Sochi Autodrom, Adlersky City District, Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia | ||||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||||
| Course length | 5.848 km (3.634 miles) | ||||
| Distance | 53 laps, 309.745 km (192.467 miles) | ||||
| Weather | Cloudy | ||||
| Pole position | |||||
| Driver | Mercedes | ||||
| Time | 1:31.387 | ||||
| Fastest lap | |||||
| Driver | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | |||
| Time | 1:35.861 on lap 50 | ||||
| Podium | |||||
| First |
| Mercedes | |||
| Second | Mercedes | ||||
| Third | Ferrari | ||||
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Lap leaders | |||||
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton entered the round with a 40-point lead over Sebastian Vettel in the Drivers' Championship. In the World Constructors' Championship, Mercedes led Ferrari by 37 points. The race was one of controversy, as Mercedes enacted team orders to swap their two drivers, handing Lewis Hamilton the win and Valtteri Bottas would move to 2nd place for the race finish. The race result sparked discussion regarding the future of team orders in the sport, and some even going as to call for an outright ban on the practice.