PADDOCK PASS: All the reaction to a thrilling qualifying session at Sochi

A dramatic qualifying for the 2020 Russian Grand Prix saw Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton come within a whisker of failing to make it out of Q2, only to nail his laps in Q3 and claim his 96th pole position.

In a session interrupted by a red flag after Sebastian Vettel lost the rear of his Ferrari at Turn 4, perhaps the most impressive performance on Saturday was that of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, whose sterling final effort in Q3 saw him split the Mercedes, as he claimed P2 from Valtteri Bottas – although with a massive 890m run down to Turn 2, the Finn was equanimous about starting from third.

A vulnerable Hamilton & a drag race to Turn 2: What To Watch For in the Russian GP

Check out the video up top as the drivers report back after qualifying at the Sochi Autodrom – or if you’d prefer an audio version of Paddock Pass, head over to Spotify to tune into the episode in podcast form.