Sochi is preparing to experience its last two Russian Grands Prix. From 2023, the event will be relocated to Saint Petersburg.
Change of scenery for the Russian Grand Prix. The event, which has been taking place in Sochi since 2014, at the site that hosted the Olympic Winter Games the same year, will move in 2023 to around 2,000 kilometers north of the country, in Saint Petersburg on the Autodrome d ‘ Igora Drive, work by Hermann Tilke. F1 announced this change on Saturday on the sidelines of the second day of the Styrian GP. This new era for the Russian Grand Prix was made possible after the new venue for the event received FIA category 1 status at the end of 2020. An essential key to becoming a host to a Formula 1 event. Located 54 kilometers from Saint-Petersburg, the four-kilometer circuit can offer ten different tracks.
BREAKING: The Russian Grand Prix will move to the Autodrom Igora Drive in St Petersburg from 2023# F1 pic.twitter.com/O3vcfbWf7t
– Formula 1 (@ F1) June 26, 2021
Sochi gives way to St. Petersburg
“I am happy to confirm that following intensive joint work with our Russian partners and a detailed evaluation of Igora Drive, Formula 1 will race on this amazing circuit from 2023. I am impressed with Saint -Petersburg and I believe that the Russian Grand Prix at Igora Drive will be an incredible event “, welcomed Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, three months to the day of the 2021 edition. Russian Grand Prix theater from 2023 was scheduled to host German DTM touring cars last year but the event was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Mercedes team, victorious in all the Grand Prix editions since 2014, will want to continue to dominate the debates on Russian soil, in this new landscape. And this, 150 kilometers from the Finland dear to Valtteri Bottas. The Russian Grand Prix also does not bring back good memories to the pilot born in Nastola, since he had to let pass in 2018, on the orders of his superiors, his teammate Lewis Hamilton when he was well placed for victory.
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