17/12/2010
NEWS STORY
Mindful of some of the other recent additions to the F1 calendar, the mayor of Sochi, which is due to host Russia's first ever Formula One Grand Prix in 2014, has promised a "gimmick free" and fan friendly circuit.
Having agreed a five-year deal in October, the Black Sea resort is due to host the first race in 2014 however, this could be deferred to 2015 as Sochi is scheduled to host the Winter Olympics in 2014 also.
Speaking to Reuters, City mayor Anatoly Pakhomov promised that the circuit, which will encourage overtaking, will be completed on time.
"Of course there are some more specific features that will need to be added upon the completion of the Olympic Games such as run-off areas, catch fencing etc," he said. "But we foresee the base requirements of the track being completed approximately one year prior to the first race being held."
Speaking about talk of deferring the inaugural Grand Prix until 2015, Pakhomov said: "There is every intention to ensure that the F1 race will go ahead as planned in 2014. The specific requirements of managing the two events together is being studied carefully at present as the committee working to oversee the successful implementation of the Olympics becomes fully integrated with the committee being set up to orchestrate the F1 race which is still in its formative stage. However, I don't foresee any slippage of the race into 2015 being necessary."
It was revealed that with an eye on costs, many of the facilities for the two events will be shared including the media centre and some of the corporate hospitality facilities. "The grand prix project has been very closely costed and government at all levels are investing just under $200m in building the track facilities," said Pakhomov.
Andrey Kraynik, a senior executive of MegaFon, a key sponsors of both the Olympics and Grand Prix, believes the circuit will become a favourite with fans.
"When we first invited Hermann Tilke down to see Sochi in 2009 we stressed the importance of ensuring the track design got the balance right," he told Reuters. "The track will be a classic track with an emphasis on good overtaking opportunities, no gimmicks. It will have a mix of high speed corners, long straights and hairpins.
"On the one hand you will have the mountains as a backdrop and a city street-track feel at the same time," he added. "It will come to be loved by the fans like Montreal, and be challenging for the drivers like Monaco."
Formula One thinking about what the fans want. Now there's a first.