Formula 1 qualifying results: Starting grid for 2021 Russian Grand Prix

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A wet and wild qualifying session could make for a chaotic Russian Grand Prix.

Rain water coated the track on Saturday, but that proved to be no real issue for Lando Norris, who starts Sunday's race in Sochi on pole, the first of his F1 career:

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The qualifying session was wrought with drama: Lewis Hamilton planted his car into the wall on pit lane, costing himself a new front wing and a good attempt at a flying lap in Q3. It also cost teammate Valtteri Bottas, who finished quali in seventh.

If Max Verstappen plans to keep the lead of the driver's championship, then the Red Bull driver will have to be on the charge: Originally assessed a three-spot grid penalty for his collision with Lewis Hamilton at the Italian GP, a power unit changed pushed Verstappen all the way to the back of the grid entering Sunday's race.

That should make for an interesting race.

Here's how they'll line up this Sunday in Russia:

Formula 1 starting lineup for 2021 Russian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Nicholas Latifi all start at the back of the grid after changing power units. 

McLaren sits on pole for the first time since 2012:

Position Driver (Team)
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
3. George Russell (Williams)
4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
5. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
6. Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
7. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
8 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
9 Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
10. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
11. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)
12. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri)
13. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)
14. Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo)
15. Mick Schumacher (Haas)
16. Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo)
17. Nikita Mazepin (Haas)
DNQ. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
DNQ. Nicholas Latifi (Williams)
DNQ Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

What channel is the F1 race on Sunday?

  • Race: Russian Grand Prix
  • Date: Sunday, Sept. 26
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: WatchESPN, fuboTV

The ESPN family of networks will broadcast all 2021 F1 races in the United States using Sky Sports' feed, with a few races heading to ABC later in the season.

In addition, ESPN Deportes serves as the exclusive Spanish-language home for all 2021 F1 races in the U.S.

What time does the F1 race start on Sunday?

  • Date: Sunday, Sept. 26
  • Start time: 8 a.m. ET

The 8 a.m. ET start time for Sunday's race means the 2021 Russian GP will start at 3 p.m. local time. The on-the-hour start time means lights out will likely take place just after 8 a.m. ET. ESPN's pre-race show usually airs in the hour prior to the start of the race.

Below is the complete TV schedule for the weekend's F1 events at the Russian GP.

Date Event Time (ET) TV channel
Friday, Sept. 10 Practice 1 4:30 a.m. ESPN2
Friday, Sept. 10 Practice 2 8 a.m. ESPNU
Saturday, Sept. 11 Practice 3 5 a.m. ESPN2
Saturday, Sept. 11 Qualifying 8 a.m. ESPN2
Sunday, Sept. 12 Race 8 a.m. ESPN2

Formula 1 live stream for Russian Grand Prix

For those who don't have a cable or satellite subscription, there are four major OTT TV streaming options that carry ESPN: fuboTV, Sling, Hulu, YouTubeTV and AT&T Now. Of the four, Hulu and YouTubeTV offer free trial options.

Below are links to each.

For those who do have a cable or satellite subscription but are not in front of a TV, Formula 1 races in 2021 can be streamed live via phones, tablets and other devices on the ESPN app with authentication.

Formula 1 schedule 2021

Formula 1 returns in 2021 with a zaftig 23-race schedule, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 28 and concluding with the customary Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Dec. 12.

The Canadian GP was canned as the country continues to wrangle with coronavirus issues, and F1 added the Styrian GP in its stead. The French GP moves up a week to June 20.

The race originally scheduled for Oct. 3 in Singapore was also axed, with the Turkish GP rejoining the schedule for the same date. That race takes place at Istanbul City Circuit.

The Portuguese Grand Prix returns for its second-consecutive running after a 22-year absence. Also making its debut this year is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which is scheduled for December.

Date Race Course Start time (ET) TV channel Winner
March 28 Bahrain Grand Prix Bahrain International Circuit 11 a.m. ESPN2 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
April 18 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari 9 a.m. TBD Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
May 2 Portuguese Grand Prix Algarve International Circuit 10 a.m. ESPN Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
May 9 Spanish Grand Prix Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya 9 a.m. ESPN Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
May 23 Monaco Grand Prix Circuit de Monaco 9 a.m. ESPN2 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
June 6 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Baku City Circuit 8 a.m. ESPN Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
June 20 French Grand Prix Circuit Paul Ricard 9 a.m. ESPN2 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
June 27 Styrian Grand Prix Red Bull Ring 9 a.m. ESPN Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
July 4 Austrian Grand Prix Red Bull Ring 9 a.m. ESPN Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
July 18 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit 10 a.m. ESPN Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Aug. 1 Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring 9 a.m. ESPN Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
Aug. 29 Belgian Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 9 a.m. ESPN2 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Sept. 5 Dutch Grand Prix Circuit Zandvoort 9 a.m. ESPN2 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Sept. 12 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale di Monza 9 a.m. ESPN2 Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
Sept. 26 Russian Grand Prix Sochi Autodrom 8 a.m. ESPN2 TBD
Oct. 3 Turkish Grand Prix Istanbul City Circuit TBD ESPN2 TBD
Oct. 10 Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka International Racing Course 1 a.m. ESPN2 TBD
Oct. 24 United States Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas 3 p.m. ABC TBD
Oct. 31 Mexico City Grand Prix Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez 3 p.m. ABC TBD
Nov. 7 Brazilian Grand Prix Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace Noon ESPN2 TBD
Nov. 21 Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Circuit 1 a.m. ESPN News TBD
Dec. 5 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Jeddah Street Circuit 11 p.m. ESPN2 TBD
Dec. 12 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina Circuit 8 a.m. ESPN2 TBD
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