Sochi circuit receives green light from FIA
Following the inspection of the track by Charlie Whiting, the Sochi Autodrome is approved and will smoothly host the first Russian Grand Prix in the history of Formula 1 on October 12th.
The Sochi Autodrome, located in the heart of the Olympic village that hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, is ready to welcome the Formula One Circus. The Russian track has indeed been inspected by FIA race director Charlie Whiting, who has given his approval.
On the Russian circuit site, Whiting expressed more than satisfaction with the work done for the construction of the track: “The circuit is in very good condition and will be granted a license. Everything has been done according to the plans – the curbs are very good, the shoulders, the guardrails, the walls – everything is in very good condition. Everything has been done to the highest standards, and I am really delighted. I can say without hesitation that the circuit is ready 60 days in advance, which is really very rare.”
Whiting also mentioned that he probably should not make a new visit shortly before the scheduled race from October 10 to 12: « I don’t know at the moment [if we will do a final inspection], but it shouldn’t be necessary. What I saw today gives me the assurance that the circuit will be fully ready when I return for the Grand Prix. »
The race promoter, Sergey Vorobyev, also welcomed this news and all the work done over the past few months to build this track: « We were ready for Mr. Whiting’s visit and would like to congratulate our builders who made this positive verdict possible. We were confident that the FIA would appreciate the efforts made by our team to implement the technical details inspected by Mr. Whiting today. »
