Triple Formula 1 world champion, and Infiniti’s new director of performance, Sebastian Vettel becomes the first F1 driver to sample the new Formula 1 venue in Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, long before its completion. This visit was part of a publicity plan to create some hype for the track’s debut in 2014.
Seb drove around the ye-to-to-be-paved track in a FX Vettel Edition SUV, in company of former F1 driver and current Red Bull associate, David Coulthard. They then toured the sports venue with officials from the Russian Government and Formula Sochi, and then attended a press conference held in the Olympic Ice Skating arena to offers their thoughts on the 3.7 mile race track.
Being an Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver comes with lots of responsibilities. Before this, they had Vettel drive an Infiniti IPL G Coupe around New Jersey circuit in the United States in the dirt.
Commenting on his experience in Russia, Sebastian Vettel said: “It is a great privilege to be the first Formula One driver to visit the new Sochi venue. After trying a section of the track in the FX Vettel Edition, I can already see it will be a fun circuit to drive in a Formula One car and the rest of the venue is very impressive. I’m really looking forward to coming back here for the Grand Prix next year.”
Formula 1 Circuit in Figures
- Circuit length: 5854 km
- Maximum speed: 320 km / h
- Circuit width: 13-15 m
- Number of turns: 18
- Total area of the circuit construction site and its infrastructure: 36 ha
- Developer and operator of the circuit is OJSC «Center «OMEGA»
- Designer of the circuit: Tilke GmbH & Co.KG