Final starting grid: Hamilton and Verstappen disadvantaged by grid position

Max Verstappen will start the Russian Grand Prix today from the first row of the grid. That sounds like an enormously good performance, but the Dutchman probably wouldn't have minded if he had to start behind the two Mercedes drivers. It seems that Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen do not have the best starting position, but Valtteri Bottas.

The Finn will start from third place and thus has the slipstream of Hamilton and Verstappen towards turn two. The slipstream is very strong, so there will certainly be changes there. Behind Bottas is Sergio Perez, who is hungry for a podium. The Mexican hasn't got a seat yet for 2021 and a podium will help enormously with a possible contract for next season.

The starting grid has a number of small changes compared to the end of qualifying. Nicholas Latifi and Alexander Albon both receive a grid penalty of five spots. Latifi therefore drops to 20th and last place, while Albon drops from tenth place to 15th place.