The circumstances around the Russian Grand Prix provided more talking points than the race itself – particularly for the local journalists who dozed off while it was going on.
Drivers paid tribute to the injured Jules Bianchi before the race, and Mercedes acknowledged him again even after winning their first constructors’ championship title.
And the overt presence of Russian president Vladimir Putin made the political dimension to the race inescapably obvious.
Here’s the Twitter story of Sunday at Sochi.
GP3 and GP2
Patric Niederhauser won the morning’s GP3 race after a three-way battle on the final lap. Dean Stoneman finished second and just managed to keep Red Bull junior Alex Lynn from wrapping up the title before the final round.
It was a thrilling finish though with race one winner @TheDeanStoneman taking second behind @P_Niederhauser: https://t.co/kITEpR2LuA #GP3 — F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) October 12, 2014
Championship wise, we were two points away from confirming it this weekend, again it’s frustrating but it will have to wait to Abu Dhabi :)
— Alex Lynn (@alexlynnracing) October 12, 2014
Marco Sorensen took his first victory in GP2.
The @GP2_Official race is on at the moment here @SochiAutodrom. Our drivers were watching the start with a very keen interest! #RussianGP
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) October 12, 2014
Half the 26-car @GP2_Official field cut turn one at the start. What a masterpiece of track design… #F1 #RussianGP pic.twitter.com/RxOdBRELyb — F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) October 12, 2014
Congrats to Lotus F1 Team Junior driver @Marco_sorensen who just won the @GP2_Official sprint race here in Sochi!
— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) October 12, 2014
Build-up
Morning everybody! In case you’ve missed Bernies email: teams were told by FOM to remain silent during Russian national anthem! — Nicola Pohl (@NicolaBILD) October 12, 2014
Tutta la Ferrari è con te! All of Ferrari is with you! Toda Ferrari està contigo! #ForzaJules pic.twitter.com/3qs71NrMVY
— Scuderia Ferrari (@InsideFerrari) October 12, 2014
Sochi GP organisers have promised an opening ceremony with dancers “that will amaze the watching world and leave people gasping in awe.” — Alan Baldwin (@alanbaldwinf1) October 12, 2014
While all this pre-race festivity and Putin hype takes place, i’m struck by the simple sight of a Marussia, alone in its garage #JB17
— Sean Kelly (@virtualstatman) October 12, 2014
A little pre-race entertainment on the grid, Russian style. #RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/nJloGPwB8b
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 12, 2014
The F1 community shows its support for the injured Jules Bianchi ahead of the #RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/qKsoEO3lwr
— Formula1.com (@F1) October 12, 2014
Drivers standing together in support of Jules Bianchi before the National Anthem. Danill Kvyat singing along proudly. #F1 — F1 Paddock Pass (@F1PaddockPass) October 12, 2014
Russia has sanctions put on it for trying to take over country Ukraine yet F1 drivers are standing while play Russian national anthem
— DAVSPURS (@davspurs) October 12, 2014
First Russian formula 1 grand prix today. Which part of #Ukraine is this being held in then?
— Mark Claflin (@markclaflin) October 12, 2014
#F1 drivers coming together and thinking of Jules #ForzaJules #RussianGP pic.twitter.com/XIIDXZ5m6Y
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) October 12, 2014
Thank you world. So much love for @Jules_Bianchi #JB17 #RacingForJules.
— Marussia F1 Team (@Marussia_F1Team) October 12, 2014
More Russian restaurant delights. This dish is called "Mouldy Black Potatoes With Gunk" pic.twitter.com/Ufd68efzCd
— f1bastard (@f1bastard) October 12, 2014
And let's have a huge round of applause for the journalist who managed to get on TV on the Sochi grid wearing masses of Gay Pride regalia.
— f1bastard (@f1bastard) October 12, 2014
If Putin presents winning constructors trophy to Mercedes as new champion is that a PR disaster for them or a commercial coup ?
— Byron Young (@byronf1) October 12, 2014
Some things get lost in translation in Russia! #Sochi #f1 #russiangp pic.twitter.com/v4056WQ023
— Mark Thompson (@F1Thommo) October 12, 2014
The Russian Grand Prix
Proof, if ever it was needed, that races can’t be won in the first corner. #F1 pic.twitter.com/4SNZLijzKE — F1 Paddock Pass (@F1PaddockPass) October 12, 2014
Ballsy move from Vergne there. Around the outside of Turn 3 #RussianGP pic.twitter.com/Wyf0QPbcnJ
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) October 12, 2014
Great bit of defensive driving by Vergne at turn three. The DRS zone renders it irrelevant. #F1 #RussianGP — F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) October 12, 2014
Lap 17 #JB17 Jules Bianchi in our thoughts and prayers #ForzaJules
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) October 12, 2014
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz pic.twitter.com/3kibShCmun — Tatiana Cunha (@titacunha) October 12, 2014
@f1bastard @benjhunt Ooooh, another local journalist has fallen asleep. This is fun.
— Jon Noble (@NobleF1) October 12, 2014
.@CaterhamF1 Not really worth tweeting that when @kamui_kobayashi already told world he was parked for absolutely no reason by management
— The Buxton Blog (@thebuxtonblog) October 12, 2014
Men with strange looking long bags have just arrived. security accompanies them on the roof… pic.twitter.com/Xpi504rRkM
— Nicola Pohl (@NicolaBILD) October 12, 2014
The ‘#F1 doesn’t do politics’ argument was just shot to pieces by FOM switching mid-race to footage of Ecclestone greeting Putin. #RussianGP — F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) October 12, 2014
Third time TV feed has cut to Putin. That’s enough now. — Daniel Johnson (@danielt_johnson) October 12, 2014
The heads of the FIA and F1 sitting next to Putin #RussianGP #Bribes pic.twitter.com/WFHfsbRh1c
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) October 12, 2014
Don’t think Pirelli should be criticised for the longevity of the tyres. Have to err on the side of caution with a new track. #F1 #RussianGP — F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) October 12, 2014
After the chequered flag
With a one-two finish, Mercedes took the constructors’ title with three races to spare.
Celebrations at @MercedesAMGF1 after a one-two finish and a first #F1 constructors’ crown #RussianGP pic.twitter.com/rktTSOr54r
— Formula1.com (@F1) October 12, 2014
#Teamwork at its finest! To everyone in Brackley, Brixworth and Stuttgart – congratulations! #F1 #W05LDCHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/mguXvU2Vvo
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) October 12, 2014
So this is unusual. Visit by the Russian President in the podium room. He appears to want to know how much weight they lose when they race. — Sarah Holt (@sarahholtf1) October 12, 2014
Putin gives the winners trophy. F1 opens itself up to the scorn of the world.
— Daniel Johnson (@danielt_johnson) October 12, 2014
Wowwwww. Look at all the plain clothes KGB & Russian guards holding the crowd back from Putin on the podium! #F1Sochi pic.twitter.com/vhdRacO92u
— Jamey Price (@jameypricephoto) October 12, 2014
The constructors’ championship trophy will return to Brackley after spending four years in Milton Keynes.
Christian Horner of @redbullracing congratulates Niki Lauda of @MercedesAMGF1 #RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/SWYeTdyVZ4
— Formula1.com (@F1) October 12, 2014
A big day for the team but all of our thoughts and prayers are with Jules, his family and our friends at @Marussia_F1Team #ForzaJules — MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) October 12, 2014
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!! #F1 #getin #boom #whatafeeling #wedidit pic.twitter.com/H4OuQGPMee
— Mike Caulfield (@MikeCaulfieldF1) October 12, 2014
Did we just win the world championship ? Yep #worldchampions pic.twitter.com/oO0aizUuug
— Barton Crewes (@bartoncrewes) October 12, 2014
Alonso confirms to us he won’t be running Mercedes power next season so three options: McLaren, Sabbatical or stays at Ferrari! Drama #F1 — Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) October 12, 2014
Teamwork. That’s what saw us through a very difficult week in Sochi. #RacingForJules pic.twitter.com/ud6mqaV2QH
— Marussia F1 Team (@Marussia_F1Team) October 12, 2014
@LewisHamilton @nico_rosberg @MercedesAMGF1 The Lock-Up from above! #F1Sochi #F1 pic.twitter.com/LaGCq15048 — Glenn Dunbar (@glenn_dunbar) October 12, 2014
Not a great race today, but it was important for F1 that it was a safe one, and overall it’s been a successful event.
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) October 12, 2014
Although I’m sure a sanitised view of Russia, I’ve enjoyed Sochi. Great track & organisation. Met lovely people. Race fans like you and I. — Will Buxton (@willbuxton) October 12, 2014
Tilke… Why that? #enough90degreecorners #thx
— Carlos Sainz (@carlosainz) October 12, 2014
5th podium this season and 1st time quickest lap of the race today. 3rd position in the race was good altough hopes were higher! #RussianGP — Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) October 12, 2014
Un puntito para mi amigo Jules!!! One Point for my friend Jules!!! #NeverGiveUp 🙏🙏
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) October 12, 2014
speechless… #WORLDCHAMPIONS @MercedesAMGF1 #RussianGP http://t.co/vzN491mCx3 — Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) October 12, 2014
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2014 Russian Grand Prix
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- 2014 Russian Grand Prix team radio transcript
James (@iamjamm)
12th October 2014, 21:13
Interesting that Bernie demanded silence from the teams during the national anthem but, during the minutes silence, he and the deputy prime minister of Russia were wandering round talking to each other, others, and Bernie was shouting Jean Todt’s name to get him to line up for a photo opportunity. Jean was busy shaking all the drivers hands (and not speaking)…
TribalTalker (@tribaltalker)
13th October 2014, 12:27
Fascinating coverage. We have to assume that the TV director was Russian and had most likely never covered a Formula 1 race before, although there is plenty of motorsport in Russia.
I suspect that the frequent cutting-away-to-Putin shots are probably common in any sporting or cultural event when he’s present. It says a lot about the way politics works in Russia.
Do we have any F1Fanatics who know Russian TV well? Was it special sucking up or just normal?