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Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes F1 W11

Why even Mercedes is struggling to stay on track in Sochi

There were two key takeaways from the opening practice sessions for Formula 1's 2020 Russian Grand Prix - and one of them concerned the unusual sight of Mercedes drivers repeatedly off the road. Here's why even the leaders were sliding off in Sochi…

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Two things really stood out from opening practice sessions at the 2020 Russian Grand Prix. One, which absolutely was not a shock, is that Mercedes appears to have its usual crushing advantage. But the second main takeaway was something rare.

In both FP1 and FP2 in Sochi, both of the Black Arrows drivers were having a good go at throwing their W11s at the scenery - or what passes for scenery with walls lining the track at the 2014 Winter Olympics venue. Both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were among those going off - they were far from alone in this regard - but they were doing it at crucial points too. The track has been on the calendar for seven years now, but something is different this year.

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