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From GMM

Unprecedented security at a grand prix will accompany Russian president Vladimir Putin's visit to the inaugural race on Sunday.

F1's regular television broadcasters have been told that when Putin's security personnel scramble radio frequencies to prevent potential bombs being triggered, live video images and microphones will possibly go dead temporarily.

And the Daily Mail also claims that "radar guarding" against airborne threats could cause television interference, while TV crews have been told not to film Putin or the visiting king of Bahrain too closely.

Amid the controversial Ukraine conflict, security is also noticeably high in other areas at the new Sochi Autodrom, including the presence of armed guards and airport-style checks.

Sochi Autodrom (Photo: WRI2)

The German newspaper Bild has more details.

It claims then when Putin is scheduled to visit the building opposite the grandstand, windows will be obscured to thwart any potential assassins.

The report also said the F1 teams' and FIA's radio systems will be affected by the anti-bomb frequency scramble, which could last up to 15 minutes.

And Bild said that security will be so tight when Putin is on the grid that regular 'grid walking' broadcasters may be unable to complete their normal duties.

From press release

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton seemed unfazed by the challenges of the new Sochi Autodrom, and secured yet another pole position ahead of his teammate Nico Rosberg.

Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosbeg (Photo: WRI2)

The smooth surface of the brand new track made getting the tires up into temperature more difficult. But Hamilton adapted well.

Finn Valtteri Bottas was doing even better after sector one and two on his last flying lap. But he made a mistake in the last corner and had to settle for third.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRI2)

"It's an amazing feeling to come to this beautiful place and to race on this track," said Hamilton of Sochi.

"I crossed the line and I was just hoping I got it; when they tell you, it's the biggest relief - a great feeling. The corners are mostly medium and high speed where you need a lot of downforce, so tomorrow should be a challenge."

Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso STR9 (Photo: WRI2)

Unusually, Mercedes made its drivers do as many as five timed laps to take advantage of the improving track conditions.

"New tarmac such as this has a layer of tar on top of it, which gets worn down with time but initially makes it very hard to work the tire enough to get temperature into it," explains Paddy Lowe.

"This is the phenomenon we have encountered this weekend and also saw in Austria earlier this year. As a result, the tire performance was improving lap by lap."

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14-T (Photo: WRI2)

Qualifying results* - Russian Grand Prix (round 16 of 19)
1.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1'38"513 - Q3
2.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1'38"713 - Q3
3.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'38"920 - Q3
4.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'39"121 - Q3
5.Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1'39"277 - Q3
6.Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1'39"635 - Q3
7.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14-T) - 1'39"709 - Q3
8.Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14-T) - 1'39"771 - Q3
9.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1'40"020 - Q3
10.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1'40"052 - Q2
11.Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4/29-Mercedes) - 1'39"629 - Q3 **
12.Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'40"163 - Q2
13.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1'40"536 - Q2
14.Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1'40"894 - Q2
15.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'41"397 - Q2
16.Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1'42"648 - Q1
17.Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1'40"058 - Q2 **
18.Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1'43"064 - Q1
19.Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1'43"166 - Q1
20.Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1'43"649 - Q1
21.Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1'43"205 - Q1 **

* Unofficial results
** 5-place grid penalty

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