It was a Formula One betting shock at the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix last weekend as Sebastian Vettel ended a year-plus race victory drought ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are still the dominant force in the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships, but Ferrari have made it three wins on the bounce and head to the Russian Grand Prix full of confidence.

Russia has been all about Mercedes so far, but after proving they’re more than a one-trick pony in the sweltering heat of Singapore, the Ferraris shouldn’t be overlooked this weekend.

One of the newer races on the calendar, let’s take a quick look at the history of the Russian Grand Prix…

 

Russian Grand Prix: Brief History

There were initially plans for a Russian Grand Prix back in the 1980s, and although efforts were made, they never came to fruition. The first communist country to hold a race became Hungary in 1986 instead.

Vladimir Putin built on those attempts 20 years later, as he tried to bring Formula One to Russia soon after the turn of the century. Again, though, those efforts didn’t lead anywhere.

Russia’s push for a Grand Prix continued in 2008. A circuit was built in Fedyukovo, and became known as the Moscow Raceway, despite being nearly 50 miles away from the capital.

Although it never actually hosted a Formula One race as intended, the Moscow Raceway got further than its planned predecessors as the track was completed and hosted plenty of high profile races.

After Vitaly Petrov became the first ever Russian Formula One driver, there was added momentum for a Russian Grand Prix. Bernie Ecclestone, still keen to race in Russia, identified Moscow or Sochi as possible locations.

In late 2010, it was announced that a Russian Grand Prix would be hosted from 2014 through to 2020. The races are in Sochi, a street circuit that winds around the Olympic Park.

In its first ever race in 2014, the Russian Grand Prix hosted a bit of history as a one-two from Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg secured the first ever Constructors’ Championship for Mercedes.

It was a repeat performance for the Sochi faithful in 2015, as Hamilton won again and Mercedes won another title.

Another one-two came for Mercedes in 2016, with the race moved earlier in the season. The biggest news, however, was a young sensation by the name of Max Verstappen being promoted to Red Bull just a few days after the race.

Mercedes continued their dominance in 2017 and 2018. Valtteri Bottas won his first ever Grand Prix in 2017, but was controversially asked to let Hamilton past in 2018 despite taking pole position.

Russian Grand Prix: Sochi Autodrom

A 5.85-kilometre in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, the Sochi Autodrom is the fourth-longest lap on the Formula One calendar. The surface wasn’t laid until after the 2014 Winter Olympics, although the first race was able to take place in October of that year.

The International Olympic Committee, if required, could have delayed the inaugural race until 2015 if preparations had interfered with the Olympics, but fortunately for Formula One, no such delay was necessary.

While a Russian Grand Prix has been confirmed until 2025, Race Fans reported on Thursday that it is likely the 2020 Russian Grand Prix will be the last in Sochi.

The circuit isn’t used much away from Formula One, and developments of the area could see it become unsuitable. The report indicates that a new circuit being built near St. Petersburg could be used in 2021 and beyond.

The epic lap at Sochi isn’t one of the most popular on the Formula One calendar. The lengthy turn three is the highlight of the track with the combination of long straights and 18 corners relatively characterless other than that.

It’s not the same gruelling physical challenge for the drivers as Singapore, and overtaking should be more common, so there’s potential for a better race than last weekend.

 

Russian Grand Prix: Recent Winners

2018 – Lewis Hamilton

2017 – Valtteri Bottas

2016 – Nico Rosberg

2015 – Lewis Hamilton

2014 – Lewis Hamilton

 

Russian Grand Prix: Most Wins

3 – Lewis Hamilton

1 – Valtteri Bottas, Nico Rosberg

Russian Grand Prix: F1 Betting Tips

Of the young drivers who could win the world title, Singapore was meant to be about Max Verstappen. Instead, Charles Leclerc stole the show and was unlucky not to make it a hat-trick of race victories.

While Leclerc is still a mammoth 96 points behind Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship, he’s proving himself as a legitimate contender and is joint favourite at 7/4 with Hamilton to stand on the top step of the podium this Sunday.

With the straight-line speed a big component at Sochi, it wasn’t set to be a great weekend for the Red Bull and Toro Rosso cars.

Their chances of success were pretty much eliminated with grid penalties for engine changes as Honda looks to get its car in their best shape ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

For those fancying Verstappen to surge up the field, the Dutchman is 2/1 to finish on the podium.

A glance at the history books tells us that Valtteri Bottas (6/4 for a top two finish) and Hamilton are the drivers to back. With Singapore so fresh in the memory, and Ferrari’s changes working like a dream, the prospect of a Mercedes one-two seems slim.

The long straights should play into Ferrari’s hands. After a brilliant drive in the Sauber last season, Leclerc will get plenty of backing at 7/4 to win the race.

It won’t have an impact on the 2019 title, but a fourth Ferrari win on the bounce would put down a real marker for the 2020 campaign.

Mercedes need to fightback after strategic errors in Singapore. Sunday should be fun, with a varied lap challenging the respective weaknesses of both teams.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Sergei Grits / AP Photo*

Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.

He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.

Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.

Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.