Sochi (Russia) (AFP)

Mercedes at the forefront, Verstappen at the back of the peloton: here is what looms at the start of the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, after the first free practice and a heavy penalty imposed on the Dutchman on Friday.

Entering the 15th round out of 22 this season, the championship leader and his Red Bull team were faced with a dilemma: choose the least bad time to change engines and condemn themselves to start at the back of the grid (alongside the Monaco driver from Ferrari Charles Leclerc, penalized for the same reasons).

"Taking everything into account, it was better to take the engine penalty here in Sochi," said Verstappen. "It will be a tough race but I'm happy with my day and our work on the set-up for the race."

What he and his took into account was the fact that the driver was already facing a penalty of three places on the grid for causing a collision with Hamilton in the previous round and that Mercedes is undefeated in Russia.

Since 2014, the seven-time British world champion has won there four times, leaving the other victories to his teammates Nico Rosberg (2016) and Valtteri Bottas (2017 and 2020).

Verstappen, who is five points ahead in the drivers' standings, could therefore lose his place on Sunday in favor of his current runner-up.

- "Capitalize" on the Verstappen penalty -

"It's a shame for him but we will try to capitalize on it with the best possible result. A double would be ideal", reacts Hamilton, who launched a psychological war with his rival Thursday by evoking their difference of experience in the F1 title race.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen during the traditional press briefing before the Russian GP in Sochi, September 24, 2021 Xavi Bonilla POOL / AFP

What the palmares of the previous editions do not show, however, is that Bottas is THE specialist in Sochi, with a pole position, five podiums including two victories, and an almost success in 2018, before he was ordered to leave its leader is needed.

It is also the Finn who dominated the two practice sessions on Friday, with a best time of 1 min 33 sec 593/1000 which places him 44/1000 ahead of his teammate and 252/1000 ahead of the French Pierre Gasly ( AlphaTauri).

"I naturally find the rhythm on this track, I really appreciate this type of turn (90 degrees, editor's note). When the car works well here, it's very pleasant," said the person concerned.

"We can always do better but, based on the rankings and my feelings, it was a good day."

Hamilton, him, is satisfied to be "started on the right foot".

"We ticked as many boxes as possible during practice," continues the defending champion.

"The car is not perfect but we will be working on it tonight" by comparing its set-up and handling to those of his team-mate.

"There are things that we can identify with our data."

If that was not enough, Bottas, third in the championship with more than 80 points behind, did not rule out Thursday to "sacrifice" in the fight for the title among the drivers.

- Rain on the program on Saturday -

Saturday, it will be necessary to deal with torrential rains expected until the middle of the afternoon, before a Sunday a priori drier.

We could see qualifying, scheduled for 3 p.m. local (2 p.m. French / 12 p.m. GMT), postponed until later in the day, as mentioned by race director Michael Masi during a radio conversation with Red Bull.

The Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas during the second free practice session of the Russian GP in Sochi, September 24, 2021 Alexander NEMENOV AFP

Moreover, the first Formula 3 race has already been brought forward from Saturday morning to late Friday afternoon.

As is often the case on a wet track, we will not be immune to surprises.

Hamilton, Verstappen but also the French Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and the Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) appreciate these conditions.

While Russia recorded a new record of daily deaths due to Covid-19 (828) on Friday, the capacity of the stands is reduced to 50%, or 27,000 tickets sold each day.

In addition, it is only in the stands and on the cars of the Haas team that we will see the Russian colors during this GP.

The flag and the national anthem are absent from the F1 protocol, the country being excluded from major international sports competitions after a huge doping scandal.

© 2021 AFP