20/08/2014
NEWS STORY
Charlie Whiting has given Sochi Autodrom the green light, declaring it is "ready to host a Formula 1 race".
The FIA's Race Director and Safety Delegate has carried out a final assessment of the circuit ahead of November's inaugural Russian Grand Prix yesterday and declared himself happy with what he found.
"The circuit is in extremely good condition and, yes, it will be issued with a license," he said. "Everything has been done according to the plans, the kerbs are very good, the verges, the guardrails, the walls, everything is in an extremely good condition.
"Everything has been done to the highest standards and I'm extremely pleased," he continued. "I can say without hesitation that the circuit is ready 60 days in advance, which is very rare really."
Asked to comment on the condition of the Race Control building, he said: "Well, it's state of the art, it's very good, and I was very impressed when I walked in to the Race Control building. It really does look extremely impressive. Fundamentally, all Race Control buildings are the same, but in this particular case it's been done with very latest high-tech equipment. The images we see at race control are absolutely superb."
Asked whether he will visit the Autodrom again before the race, he replied: "I don't know at the moment, but it should not be necessary. What I've seen today gives me complete comfort that the circuit will be entirely ready when I come back for the Grand Prix."
In light of Whiting's positive endorsement, race promoter Sergey Vorobyev said: "We were ready for Mr. Whiting's visit and we want to congratulate our builders who have made this positive verdict happen. We were confident that FIA would appreciate the efforts made by our team to implement the technical details that have been so highly reviewed by Mr. Whiting today.
"Now that Sochi Autodrom has received a license, everything else is up to the organizers of the events and as such we are working intensely on ensuring that all aspects of the event are fully prepared. It is our aim to make this a truly unforgettable event with the comfort and enjoyment of our guests at the forefront of all our efforts."