Russian Grand Prix 2021: F1 practice and qualifying schedule, UK start time, Sochi track and how to watch on TV

The 15th race of the F1 season takes place in Russia and the Sochi Autodrom.

It has been two weeks since McLaren triumphed at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza ,ending their 170-race wait for victory and having their first one-two finish since 2010.

Daniel Ricciardo achieved his eighth win of his career, having last won three years ago at the Monaco Grand Prix, and led team-mate Lando Norris home to give McLaren a fairytale end to the weekend and their greatest race success in over a decade.

Two weeks on, the teams will meet again in the 15th race of the 2021 season at the Russian GP, a track well-liked by Mercedes and Ferrari with Mercedes having won every race at the track since 2014 as well as leading 309 out of a possible 370 laps.

The key story will be the ongoing battle between Championship rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. After the latest incident at Monza, Verstappen will undoubtedly look to qualify as high as possible in order to help pacify the three-grid penalty he received for their collision on lap 26.

Verstappen collides with Hamilton resulting in him receiving a three-grid penalty for the Russian GP.

This penalty also means that it will be the Dutchman’s first start out of the top three this season.

When is the Russian Grand Prix?

The Russian GP will take place on Sunday 26 September 2021 with practice on Friday 24 September 2021 and practice as well as qualifying taking place on Saturday 25 September 2021.

What time does the Russian GP start?

The first event of the weekend is the Free Practice 1 which runs from 9.30am-10.30am BST on Friday 24 September 2021.

Free Practice 2 is from 1pm until 2pm BST on Friday as well.

On Saturday 25 September 2021, Free Practice 3 is from 10am-12am BST

Qualifying also takes place on the Saturday from 1pm-2pm BST

The race on Sunday 26 September 2021 starts at 1pm BST

Where is the circuit?

The Russian Grand Prix is at the Sochi Autodrom.

How to watch the Russian GP on TV?

The F1 will be available to watch on Sky Sports. Every session will be shown on the Sky Sports’ dedicated F1 channel.

What time does coverage start for the Russian Grand Prix?

On Friday 24 September 2021 practice build up starts at 9am.

On Saturday 25 September 2021 practice build up starts at 9.30am and qualifying build up starts at 12.30pm

On Sunday 26 September 2021 build up for the race starts at 11.30am.

Who looks likely to win?

Given the former glory Mercedes have enjoyed at the Sochi track, both Lewis Hamilton and Valterri Bottas are hot favourites to win the Russian GP.

Bottas contends himself with second place after being told to give up first place for Hamilton at the 2018 Russian GP

Betfair have Hamilton to win 4/6 with Verstappen at 3/1 and Bottas at 7/2.

Sergio Perez has never finished out of the points at Sochi and will therefore be one to watch out for. Betfair have the Mexican, Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris and George Russell all at 25/1 to win.