Sebastian Vettel has become the first F1 driver to lap the newly completed Sochi Autodrom ahead of this year's inaugural Russian Grand Prix

The Red Bull driver travelled straight to Sochi from Spa Francorchamps after finishing 5th in the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday. After a tour of the venue's facilities, he completed a number of high speed laps of the full Grand Prix circuit in an Infiniti Q50 Hybrid. Vettel was joined by former F1 driver David Coulthard, driving the circuit with VIP guests and media.

Vettel is no stranger to Sochi having visited the venue in April 2013 when the circuit was still under construction. Since then, the complex has hosted the 2014 Winter Olympic Games ahead of the inaugural Russian Grand Prix due to take place on October 12.

The Sochi Autodrom, designed by Hermann Tilke, features 18 corners across 5.8 kilometres and will host round 16 of the 2014 World Championship.

"It is great to be back in Sochi and the venue has been transformed since I was last here when it was really just a construction site," said Vettel. "Having driven the full circuit for the first time in the Infiniti Q50 today, it's an interesting layout with a good mix of high speed corners and technical sections. It's going to be a huge challenge in a Formula One car for sure and I'm really looking forward to coming back in October."

Sergey Vorobyev, promoter of the forthcoming Grand Prix, was delighted to see the four-time world champion lap the new circuit.

"Today's event is a significant milestone in Russia's imminent arrival into Formula One," he said. "Having Sebastian Vettel become the first F1 driver to lap the circuit is a fitting introduction to this brand new, world class venue, and we are very much looking forward to hosting the inaugural Russian Grand Prix here in October."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Imsa, 27/08/2014 22:34

"The track itself looks interesting layout wise, but what's with all of those concrete barriers and fencing? It appears from the video that Seb is driving in a tunnel for most of the lap and with those obstructions, will the fans be able to see the cars from the stands?"

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2. Posted by Renone, 27/08/2014 8:04

"clearly inspired by the Berlin Wall, all concrete and grey. They wonder why the fans are bored with tracks like this!"

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3. Posted by Guybrush Threepwood, 27/08/2014 7:39

"I think Tilke miss-interpreted the Russian organisers - I'm sure they were talking about a band when they said "We're a fan of 90 degrees"."

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4. Posted by TokyoAussie, 27/08/2014 3:35

"Appears to me like a completely flat, featureless track surrounded by large buildings that are mostly round. Yeah, great stuff. Yawn."

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5. Posted by kiwi2wheels, 26/08/2014 16:44

"[ The Sochi Autodrom, designed by famed Formula One architect, Hermann Tilke, features .........]

Surely " notorious " or " despised " would be a better definition !"

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6. Posted by nonickname, 26/08/2014 15:50

"Nice circuit, love the fencing..perfect place for Ukrainian P.O.W's. Nice one again Bernie."

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Video: Vettel first to drive Sochi circuit

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