F1 2019 Russian GP: Friday as it happened!

Click here for Crash.net's full live text commentary of the 2019 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix from Sochi. 

Formula 1 heads to Russia for round 15 of the 2019 season, the Russian Grand Prix, which takes place at the 5.848km Sochi Autodrom. 

Ferrari heads into the weekend off the back of three consecutive victories at Spa, Monza and Singapore and is looking to make it four wins in a row for the first time since the 2008 season, following its surprise one-two finish in Singapore. 

Mercedes will be looking to bounce back and return to winning ways after a frustrating result in Singapore. The reigning world champion squad has not won a race since before Formula 1's summer break at the Hungarian Grand Prix. 

Russia has proved a happy hunting ground for Mercedes since its introduction to the calendar in 2014, with the German manufacturer dominating the event, winning all five races since the start of the V6 hybrid era in 2014. 

Mercedes is set to face its toughest test yet if it is to keep its 100 percent unbeaten record in tact at Sochi, with the emerging threat of the revitalised Ferrari team, which has hit a purple patch of form. 

Formula 3 and Formula 2 return to action this weekend in Russia to support Formula 1 - the Formula 2 title could be sealed as early as this weekend. 

The opening 90-practice session gets underway at 1100 local time (0900 BST), with the second practice session taking place later this afternoon at 1500 local time (1300).