Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg secured back-to-back pole positions and will start the Russian Grand Prix ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
The Briton simply had no answer in the battle for pole and pitted despite having enough time for third flying lap, conceding he didn’t have the pace to beat the German.
Williams’ Valtteri Bottas was third fastest, whilst team-mate Felipe Massa struggled for pace, failing to make it out of Q2, finishing 15th quickest.
The Ferraris finished fourth and fifth with Sebastian Vettel leading Kimi Raikkonen.
2015 Russian Grand Prix Qualifying Times (Provisional):
| # | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
| 01 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | 1:37.113 | |
| 02 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:37.433 | +0.320 |
| 03 | Valtteri Bottas | Williams | 1:37.912 | +0.799 |
| 04 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | 1:37.965 | +0.852 |
| 05 | Kimi Raikkonen | Ferrari | 1:38.348 | +1.235 |
| 06 | Nico Hulkenberg | Force India | 1:38.659 | +1.546 |
| 07 | Sergio Perez | Force India | 1:38.691 | +1.578 |
| 08 | Romain Grosjean | Lotus | 1:38.787 | +1.674 |
| 09 | Max Verstappen | Toro Rosso | 1:38.924 | +1.811 |
| 10 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull | 1:39.728 | +2.615 |
| 11 | Daniil Kvyat | Toro Rosso | 1:39.214 | |
| 12 | Felipe Nasr | Sauber | 1:39.323 | |
| 13 | Jenson Button | McLaren | 1:39.763 | |
| 14 | Pastor Maldonado | Lotus | 1:39.811 | |
| 15 | Felipe Massa | Williams | 1:39.895 | |
| 16 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren | 1:40.144 | |
| 17 | Marcus Ericsson | Sauber | 1:40.660 | |
| 18 | Will Stevens | Marussia | 1:43.693 | |
| 19 | Roberto Merhi | Marussia | 1:43.804 | |
| 20 | Carlos Sainz | Toro Rosso | No Time |
