GET ready for more high-octane racing as the Formula One season moves to Russia. Max Verstappen could not improve on his FP1 run and is down in sixth place. Charles Leclerc is the early pacesetter in FP2, and is now ahead of Mercedes pair Valteri Bottas and lewis Hamitlon. Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid after being hit with a penalty due to Red Bull opting to take a new Honda power unit at Sochi. Lewis Hamilton has decided not to back out of on-track battles when he believes he has a right to the corner, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in practice one and he is glad to be competing with the race leaders. Charles Leclerc follows closely behind and then comes Hamilton’s rival Max Verstappen, just under a second down on the Brit. Lewis Hamilton is adamant he will not crack under the pressure of his intense F1 title fight with Max Verstappen. Max Verstappen has taken another swipe at Lewis Hamilton as their F1 battle is set to erupt in Russia. Neither Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen finished the race in Italy, crashing together mid-race and further fuelling their ongoing rivalry.

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