Hamilton aims to match Schumacher’s F1 win record in Sochi

Lewis Hamilton has set many Formula One information over time, however few as important because the one he can match Sunday on the Russian Grand Prix. Victory for Hamilton on the Sochi Olympic Park would see him draw degree with Michael Schumacher on 91 profession wins, greater than every other driver within the 70-year historical past of F1.

It would additionally additional enhance Hamilton’s commanding 55-point lead over teammate Valtteri Bottas within the championship standings, placing him nearer to a seventh world championship, matching one other Schumacher document.

History is on Hamilton’s facet. He’s received 4 of the six Russian races up to now and all six have been received by Mercedes drivers. His closest challenger is more likely to be Bottas, who beat Hamilton within the 2017 version of the Russian Grand Prix.

MORE FANS IN STANDS

There will likely be extra spectators within the stands than for every other race within the pandemic-hit 2020 season. Organizers say the race weekend is offered out however haven’t given last ticket gross sales figures. Race promoter Alexei Titov beforehand informed Russian state TV that the stands can be at 50 p.c of their capability, which equates to round 30,000 spectators.

That’s excess of the earlier season excessive of three,000 followers for the final race, the Tuscan Grand Prix on the Mugello circuit. Unlike on the final two races in Italy, there will likely be a full leisure program on supply for followers, with concert events that includes a few of Russia’s hottest musicians.

Russian organizers say they’re taking precautions to maintain followers secure and may have medical employees posted at checkpoints across the venue, and that spectators may have their temperature measured on entry.

VERSTAPPEN’S STRUGGLES

It’s onerous to consider that Max Verstappen nonetheless appeared like an out of doors title challenger only some weeks in the past. Since then his season has gone up in smoke.

An overheating engine compelled the Dutch driver out of the race at Monza after which an analogous drawback struck simply earlier than the beginning of the next race at Mugello. Verstappen was far slower off the road than the vehicles round him and was struck by Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa Romeo.

That leaves Verstappen a full 80 factors off Hamilton within the standings, although he may rebound by making an attempt to make up the 25-point hole to Bottas in second place.