The Russian Grand Prix produced the best result for McLaren since the Australian Grand Prix. It was also a fantastic performance which saw both drivers beat both Red Bulls and Ferraris in both qualifying and the race. The only other cars that looked quicker all weekend were the almighty Mercedes and the Williams cars, and the only other car to outqualify a McLaren was Daniil Kvyat’s Toro Rosso which dropped like a brick during the race. This result paired with Force India’s tricky weekend gives McLaren a nice little cushion in the tight fight for fifth in the Constructors’ Championship. Performing well on this track bodes well for Abu Dhabi, a track with similar characteristics.
McLaren Russian GP Review
No. 20 Kevin Magnussen (DEN)
Grid: P11 (Qualified P6 but dropped 5 places due to gearbox penalty)
Race: P5
This was Magnussen’s best result since that fantastic podium in Australia. He needed a result and one like this is very important as it puts him ahead of Sergio Pérez and Kimi Räikkönen in the championship. He was somewhat slower than team mate Jenson Button in qualifying, half a second off roughly, which meant he started outside of the top 10 for the race, but it all came together for him in the race. After pulling off an absolutely awesome move on Jean-Éric Vergne early into the race, he held a really solid fifth. The only other movements were due to Alonso’s slow stop and Nico Rosberg making his way back through the field, so Magnussen finished fifth, some way behind Button, but an important performance overall.
No. 22 Jenson Button (GBR)
Grid: P4
Race: P4
Button had a very strong weekend here, the track and conditions were clearly to his liking. Early practice pace translated into a strong grid slot – P4 and a race in which he kept out of trouble and held off Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso for a long time proved to be route to his best result since the British Grand Prix. He did hold third place for a while, but he stood no chance against Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes as he climbed back through the field. Despite this strong result, he still seemed quite dejected. Perhaps he has been told of his future already?
McLaren will be hoping for more of the same at Austin, Texas – a track which seems to suit McLaren well. Lewis Hamilton brilliantly won there for the team in 2012, the first race at the track. Whilst winning is pretty much out of the question, this positive Sochi performance bodes well in that fight for fifth place.
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