Russian GP

A couple of interesting things being reported by SKY during FP1...

Firstly, according to German Autosport magazine, Ferrari have said they'll supply Toro Rosso for 2016 but not Red Bull.

Secondly, Renault are now rumoured to be turning their attention to the Red Bull team as opposed to Lotus.

As for FP1, a support truck leaked Hydraulic fluid all over the track causing the session to be reduced to just an hour

Will wait and see if Joe Saward has anything to say about the engine and team rumours.

Update - The Renault/Lotus deal seems still to be on. Brundle also says one option for RB is to stick with Renault for 2016.

BBC are reporting diesel on the track

Complete lack of sympathy in the paddock for Red Bull. Whatever happens, they have surely done the brand no good with their behaviour. Personally, I'd like to see them go back to Renault cap-in-hand, but if La Régie sticks with plan A and buys Lotus, I can't think they would be too happy to be beaten by RBR using their engines as a last resort... Perhaps Renault will supply them last year's engines...?!

Kravitz said it was hydraulic fluid from a cleaning truck, since said it was diesel

Oh no, this is not looking good

Phew, thank goodness for that

I was a bit worried there, it looked terrible. Well done to F1 / BBC for not showing any accident footage until they knew he was fine

I have to say this circuit has no real interesting elements to it other than a long left hand turn. I got to the point of being a tad bored by the end of Q2
Is it just me?

I've been bored at every event this year, I think. The current rules that forbid development are ridiculous; what you have at the start of the year is effectively what you have at the end, so you could run Adelaide and call a halt then.

Tell you what - let's lose the bulk of the aerodynamics. That's the bit that's expensive to develop, and the bit that prevents you getting close to the car in front. The flippy-flappy passing aid makes such a difference that the car in front can't do anything if he hasn't got a second's lead, and the car behind can't do anything if he has. Meh.

And while I'm ranting: get rid of concrete outside the racing line and replace it with gravel. If you *know* you've a good chance of getting stopped if you step outside the lines you might be a bit less cavalier in your attitude to the edge of the track, and there's probably a safety benefit too.

Adelaide? Bloody hell, Neil, when did you last watch the Aussie GP...?!

I dunno, I keep falling asleep...

The Bitumen run off is there for safety, but I agree, gravel or something to stop them or at least slow them down is better.

I like the current concept but like always there are many unintended consequences. If RBR pull out - I doubt they will, but if they do - there will be a lot of soul searching within the sport to do.

I'll continue to watch it because I always have and I love it nevertheless, but I know many others will loose interest. They need to remove the teams and their profit potential from the decision making process.

That is one dull circuit - its just miles of grey fencing.

Managed about 10 minutes, just can't see the attraction anymore.

Certainly destroying a few cars!

Spectacular last couple of laps. Nice one Checo!

It was worth sticking with it for the last lap fun and games, God knows what Kimi thought he was doing!

I do think that the BBC should perhaps dial down the John Button praise a notch.

John did indeed seem like a nice bloke in F1 circles but I do recall that his name was not always mentioned so favourably in the rally-cross world.

Miles of grey, incredibly effective fencing! Dreadful circuit, appalling gangster hosts, but the fact that Sainz was able to race today and that we aren't waiting anxiously for grim news about Romain Grosjean is testament to the astonishing abilities of the safety fencing - even if it did ride over Sainz on Saturday.
I really thought Grosjean was in trouble there.

Some interesting bits and pieces, first race I've sat and watched live for some time. Shame the TV feed missed Hamilton overtaking Rosberg and a few other choice bits.

Can you imagine anything colder than the atmosphere between two Finns after one has run the other off the road in an insane move one lap before the end of a race, costing the victim a certain podium?

Oh, and the hats. THE HATS.

Did you see the sad expression on Vettels face when he thought he didn't have one of the hats? I thought I saw the bottom lip start to wobble

lose interest.

The Grammar-and-Spelling Police will track you down and bring you to justice!

I see Merc have won the constructor's after Kimi was given a 30-sec penalty. Not the way it should have been won from the fans' point of view - but typical of current F1. Mind you, even in Hunt's day, points came and went over periods of months.

Screw the F1, did anyone else catch the last race of the BTCC from Brands??

They should stick the f1 engines in a btcc car, that would make the best fan spectacle ever.
200+ mph on short circuits with totally committed but loony drivers ready to swap paint anywhere anytime!

Mix in a bit of off road and you've got rallycross

Highlights for me

Missing Hamilton overtake
Duct Tape
JB and DC Rallycross

Hamilton's overtake was shown; it was when Rosberg broke his throttle.

I have to admit I did feel bad for Rosberg with his issue, he'd been quicker then LH all weekend and deserved the win imo.

If he broke the throttle, he must have been pushing too hard...

I'll get my coat.

Hamilton's pass wasn't shown 'live' on SKY. They did however, replay it half a dozen time after it'd happened. I'm sure the Beeb and SKY use the same TV feed....

Everyone uses the same feed as it comes from FOM

Highlight for me was Ted Kravitz asking Nicky Lauder if he was going home with the Austrian Sky presenter to "Netflix and chill". Poor Lauder was clueless what he was inferring, luckily for Ted I feel.

Implying.

The Grammar Police are on duty!!

Yep - what a cracker!

Will it be on any catch-up service?

Not sure about the full race, but ITV4 tend to run the highlights the following weekend.

•Highlights: Saturday 17th October, 2.30pm itv4
•Highlights repeats: Sunday 18th October, 7.10am itv4 & Wednesday 21st October, 3am itv

Yes great racing!
I've been following the BTCC all season
One BTCC weekend gives you more excitement and entertainment than a whole F1 Season.

Congrats to local boy Gordon Shedden winning his second BTCC title.
Catch the last 3 rounds from >>>>Brands Hatch here<<<

Oi you BTCCers, start your own thread. We don't want any of your close racing, overtaking etc. on our snoozy F1 thread

this is a cool short video. Love Jensons voice whilst driving the beetle and when he pulls up. I think his belt might have been a bit tight wink

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/34476954