Is the Russian Grand Prix on TV today? Start time, channel and how to watch Formula 1 race today

Lewis Hamilton will have the opportunity to retake the lead in the Formula 1 title race at the Russian Grand Prix today, with Max Verstappen set to start at the back of the grid following an engine change.

Sochi has been a Mercedes stronghold in recent years with the team winning all seven races to be held at the circuit since 2014. Hamilton is a four-time winner at the Russian Grand Prix, with Valtteri Bottas winning last season’s race.

FOLLOW LIVE: Build-up and all the race action from the F1 Russian Grand Prix

Verstappen was already set for a three-place grid penalty following his dramatic collision with Hamilton at the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago, as the pressure of the world championship battle boiled over at Monza. Now, however, he starts from the back of the grid.

All the build-up to today’s race has been focused on the latest duel between the world championship contenders, in one of the closest title races in memory, but Verstappen will have his work cut out to catch up with Hamilton and provide some more wheel-to-wheel action between the rivals today.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is it?

The Russian Grand Prix will begin shortly after 1:00pm BST on Sunday 25 September.

How can I watch?

The race will be shown live on the Sky Sports F1 channel, with coverage starting at 11:30am. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

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Starting grid

Row 1 - Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz

Row 2 - George Russell, Lewis Hamilton

Row 3 - Daniel Ricciardo, Fernando Alonso

Row 4 - Valtteri Bottas, Lance Stroll

Row 5 - Sergio Perez, Esteban Ocon

Row 6 - Sebastian Vettel, Pierre Gasly

Row 7 - Yuki Tsunoda, Kimi Raikkonen

Row 8 - Mick Schumacher, Antonio Giovinazzi

Row 9 - Nikita Mazepin, Charles Leclerc

Row 10 - Nicholas Latifi, Max Verstappen

Driver standings

1) Verstappen (Red Bull) - 226.5

2) Hamilton (Mercedes) - 221.5

3) Bottas (Mercedes) - 141

4) Norris (McLaren) - 132

5) Perez (Red Bull) - 118

What has Hamilton said?

“I know the pressure that comes with [trying to win your first title] and the experiences that go with it. Your eagerness... you go through lots of different experiences and emotions during that time.

“[Verstappen] won’t admit to it and I’m not going to make an assumption, I’m just saying that I remember what it was like when I had my first one and [the pressure] definitely mounted up.

“It was difficult, it was intense, I was going through a lot of different emotions, I didn’t always handle it the best. That’s to be expected, you know, it’s a lot of pressure when you are working in a big team, there’s a lot of self expectation and the desire to win is huge.”

What has Verstappen said?

“I think if someone really knows me, I’m very relaxed about all those things and I really can’t be bothered, you know I’m very chilled. It’s the best feeling ever to have a car, a great car where you go into every weekend and you can fight for a win.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re just leading a championship or not, those comments... I mean it just shows you that he doesn’t really know me, which is fine, I don’t need to know him, how he is fully.

“I just focus on myself and I really enjoy it out there at the front and of course hopefully we can do it for a really long time.”