Russian Race Added To F1 Calendar

A Russian race has been added to the F1 calendar after Sochi agreed a deal to host a Grand Prix from 2014-2020 – a deal announced by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.??

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone signed the long-anticipated seven-year deal, worth reportedly more than $200m.??

However, there could be immediate problems with the first race as it could affect Sochi’s Winter Olympic preparations.??

Russian officials said the plan is for the race track to be built near the Olympic park that would host most of the Games events in February 2014.??

The Black Sea resort is hosting the Winter Games in 2014 and the opening race could be put back a year if necessary, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said.??

Prime Minister Putin added: ‘It fits perfectly with the Winter Olympics as it could use all the hotels and other infrastructure that would be build here by 2014.’