Russia is ready for it’s first Formula One Grand Prix

The Sochi Autodrom will host the Formula One Russian Grand Prix, the sixteenth race of the 2014 Formula One season. The race, to be held on the 12th October, will mark the 100th anniversary of the last Russian Grand Prix which was held between 1913 and 1914 in St. Petersburg.

The pre-race inspections of the auditorium have already been completed. Charlie Whiting, the FIA Formula One Race Director and Safety Delegate, led the FIA inspection group. Track quality and safety were inspected, as well as the venue, in order to confirm that the auditorium will qualify to host a Formula One Grand Prix race.
The Sochi Autodrom passed inspection with flying colors and was deemed ready to host the event in October. According to Whiting, the track met all of the organizations standards for safety. The inspection came after many months of preparation done by the hard working staff of the Sochi Autodrom who diligently prepared the track.
Charlie Whiting was impressed by the new circuit, declaring:

"The circuit is in extremely good condition and – yes - it will be issued with a license. 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. I can say without hesitation that the circuit is ready 60 days in advance, which is very rare really."

Mr. Whiting also commented on the advanced technology that will be used to equip the Race Control building:
“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 the very latest high-tech equipment. The images we see at race control are absolutely superb."
The head of the FIA delegation noted that this will likely be the final inspection by the organization prior to the October inaugural race. “What I've seen today gives me complete comfort that the circuit will be entirely ready when I come back for the Grand Prix,” said Whiting.

The promoter of the 2014 Formula One Russian Grand Prix, Sergey Vorobyev, was pleased by the outcome of the inspection, but not surprised. “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,” noted Vorobyev. “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."

Image provided by © Viovita | Dreamstime.com - Tribunes Of F1 Complex In Sochi Photo