What to watch for in Sochi

The FIA Formula 3 campaign returns for the season finale at the Sochi Autodrom, but what should you be watching out for this weekend?

The final rush

Given his dominance in 2019, Robert Shwartzman will expect to claim the FIA Formula 3 Championship title on home soil in Sochi, during the season finale. Having led for almost the entire campaign, the Russian will be confident of making the final hurdle and won’t fancy giving up the Championship now.

As it stands, he could take the crown on Saturday, if he can keep the gap between himself and Jehan Daruvala in second to more than 17 points – it currently stands at 33.

Having won again in the Monza Feature Race last time out, it would take a brave man to bet against Shwartzman winning the title in front of his home support.

Waiting in the wings

Jehan Daruvala is the only driver other than Shwartzman to have led the Formula 3 Championship this season, but the Russian’s remarkable consistency has proven marginally too great for the Indian to handle.

Shwartzman’s win in Monza last time out added further air between them and has left the former Force India protégé with a lot to do. The 20-year-old will be waiting in the wings for any slip-ups from his teammate and you can bet he will be on his metal in Sochi, should the opportunity to prise the trophy from Shwartzman arise.

No flash in the pan

Yuki Tsunoda will be a wanted man next season, after his first win in F3 propelled him to greater heights and put him in the junior formula spotlight.

The Red Bull Academy driver has been gradually improving by the round, as he gets to grips with not just a new Championship, but a new continent. He seems to have hit form at the right time and will want to continue his upward trajectory in the season finale.

The low-downforce circuits of Spa and Monza seemed to suit the Japanese racer and it will be fascinating to see whether he can adapt to the different challenges that the Sochi Autodrom will pose.

Best of the rest

Below Shwartzman and Daruvala, the fight to be the ‘best of the rest’ is hotting up, with a mere 32 points separating third from sixth. Currently leading the way are Jüri Vips and Marcus Armstrong. Both enjoyed title tilts of their own this season and won’t want to lose their places in third and fourth. Vips was in scorching form mid-season, before a difficult couple of rounds post-summer break. While, Armstrong has improved as the season has progressed and will want to end the campaign strongly.

Christian Lundgaard is another who has seen an increase in performance since the summer break and while he sits 24 points behind Armstrong, he will still be aiming to finish the season on as many points as possible, with the 100 points mark all but broken.

Just nine points behind, Pedro Piquet has blown hot and cold during 2019, owing in part to problems with his machinery, as well as self-confessed mistakes. However, when he is on form, he has been scintillating to watch and as good as anyone else on the grid.

Overtaking opportunities

Located in the resort city on the black sea, the Sochi Autodrom has been built around the Olympic park and is home to some stunning views, as well as plenty of action.

The first turn can be taken flat out, which makes a quick getaway crucial and gives the polesitter an opportunity to build an early lead out in front. The first turn is then followed by one of the track’s best overtaking spots, at the tight, slow-speed second turn, where braking will be key to gaining and losing positions.

If drivers can negotiate a good exit to the fourth corner, then it can set them up for a potential move on the fifth.