The newest F1 race on the 2014 calendar was the inaugural GP on the Sochi Autodrom (hence my impeccable Russian at the start of this article). A 5,853 km lap and the race held over 53 laps, and this is the second time of running of this GP.
The circuit is in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi in Krasnodar Krai, Russia. The circuit is similar to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and the Sydney Olympic Park Circuit in that it will run around a venue used for Olympic competition; in this case, the Sochi Olympic Park site, scene of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. The inaugural race was the first year of a seven-year contract and is the third longest circuit on the F1 calendar, behind Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Silverstone in the UK.
Sochi F1.
The new track at Sochi showed last time out that it is very smooth, is kind on tyres, and is a typical Tilke track which does not encourage passing. It was compared to Valencia by commentators, and we all know what a bore-fest Valencia is.
I believe Qualifying is on Saturday at 6 p.m. Thai time, and the race is 6 p.m. on the Sunday (again Thai time).
We will be watching from our perches at Jameson’s Irish Pub (Soi AR, next to Nova Park) and even though the racing commences at 6 p.m. join us around 5 p.m. for dinner (I do recommend the roasts), and a beer and a chat before the race begins. We watch on the giant screen!
