Russian GP agreed to run in Sochi from 2014

[WhiteBlue]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/fo ... ochi_N.htm?

It was confirmed today that the race will be held from 2014-2020, with an option to extend. A map that has emerged on the net via Russia’s F1news website shows a track – apparently designed by Tilke – making full use of the Olympic site and some public roads.

Given that the Olympic Park is still being built the organisers can in effect construct access roads and so on with the race in mind, so that there should be a seamless transition to a Grand Prix venue just a few months after the Games. However there is some suggestion that the debut may be put back to 2015.

And it also means that there will be facilities such as a broadcast and media centre on site, not to mention good transport links.

It can be a super circuit. It’s all the things we need and we are very happy.

[MikeFromCanada]

Hmm so it's going to be a street circuit eh. That proposed layout doesn't look too bad, at least it's kind of different. The long sweeping turn right in the centre of the layout could be interesting.

[timbo]

Hmm so it's going to be a street circuit eh.

It is planned at the Olympic Park, so more like Montreal/Melbourne hopefully.

[GTO]

Great news! =D> It's an interesting circuit concept. It has quite a few heavy acceleration, med. speed run followed by heavy breaking zones the should produce overtaing opportunity. Due to the pit location, I'm guessing it's clockwise in direction, but it could go the other way too. Don't see any run offs. Among the latest new tracks there is a growing trend in large radius/parabolica type turns...Austin, Korea, and now this. This is a shot in the arm for Petrov to stay with Renault.

[WhiteBlue]

This would be my 2014 calendar if they keep the races to 20

01 Bahrain (Sakhir)
02 Australia (Melbourne)
03 Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
04 China (Shanghai)
05 Turkey (Istanbul)
06 Spain (Catalunya)
07 Monaco (Monte Carlo)
08 Canada (Montreal)
09 US GP Austin
10 Great Britain (Silverstone)
11 Germany (Nürburgring)
12 Russia (Sochi)
13 Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
14 Italy (Monza)
15 Singapore (Singapore)
16 Japan (Suzuka)
17 Korea (Yeongam)
18 India (Delhi)
19 Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina Circuit)
20 Brazil (Sao Paulo)

[Pandamasque]

I see Tilke's bizarre sense of humour had crept into the project, huh?

[mx_tifoso]

No more street circuits!

Monaco, Canada, Singapore,Valencia, Korea, Rome, and now Russia?!

[Caito]

.. and Melbourne.

:p

[astracrazy]

This would be my 2014 calendar if they keep the races to 20

01 Bahrain (Sakhir)
02 Australia (Melbourne)
03 Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
04 China (Shanghai)
05 Turkey (Istanbul)
06 Spain (Catalunya)
07 Monaco (Monte Carlo)
08 Canada (Montreal)
09 US GP Austin
10 Great Britain (Silverstone)
11 Germany (Nürburgring)
12 Russia (Sochi)
13 Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
14 Italy (Monza)
15 Singapore (Singapore)
16 Japan (Suzuka)
17 Korea (Yeongam)
18 India (Delhi)
19 Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina Circuit)
20 Brazil (Sao Paulo)

pretty fair, but hungry will be on there (doesn't bernie own it?) Plus Rome is a rumour (or is it confirmed?)

I guess if someone had the time they can prob predict it if they could find the contract expiry for each track...

Plus Suzuka, Turkey and China all have contracts which end in 2011 - one will be dropped for 2012 to make way for the US race

edit: not for certain but is logical

[mkw0101]

they should build the race track near the mountains with natural elevations like at the Spa-francochamps but make it 5 + KM long.

[andrew]

Looks an ok circuit. Surely Tilke hasn't got his crayons on this yet. Pity it's a street circuit though. There is no place in modern F1 for street circuits - aside from crashes they are dull I'm afraid.

[agungn51]

.

[mach11]

the track looks really good... with the rule changes moving towards more of mechanical grip to the cars.. those straights would promote more wheel to wheel racing....

looks really good...

[Steven]

Well obviously part of a track's attraction is the surroundings, the atmosphere, elevation changes and the closeness of barriers. Personally I find it hard to judge a track from a map, but if we have to, I'm not that impressed.

Just wondering though, are they going to run clockwise or anti-clockwise on that track?

[WhiteBlue]

My guess is clockwise. The first corner is too close if they do anti clockwise.