F1 hosted its first World Championship Grand Prix in Russia at the Sochi Autodrom in 2014, but was considering moving from the Black Sea resort in the near future.
Last year after its opening in 2019, the Igora Drive racetrack on the outskirts of St. Petersburg received an FIA grade 1 license, which is required to host the F1. The track is 4.086 km long and has 15 corners.
A statement released on Saturday revealed that the track has made a deal with hosting F1, which will operate under the same promoter that runs the existing race in Sochi.
“I am pleased to announce that the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Russia will take place on Igora Drive from 2023,” said Stefano Domenicali, CEO and President of Formula 1, in a statement from the circuit after he won the Track had visited earlier this week.
“That was the result of intensive work with our Russian partners and a detailed study of this delightful track.
“I am impressed by St. Petersburg and I am confident that the Russian Grand Prix on Igora Drive will be a great event.”
Formula 1 followed the announcement of the racetrack with the statement that it was “able to confirm with pleasure that the Russian Grand Prix will be relocated to the Autodrom Igora Drive in St. Petersburg from 2023”.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W11, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes F1 W11 and Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
“We look forward to driving in an extremely exciting location that includes 10 professional racing and test tracks on approximately 100 hectares,” said the F1 statement.
“It is located 54 km from Saint Petersburg, was designed by the German architect Hermann Tilke and received the FIA Grade 1 license in 2020.
“We will announce more details about the race in the coming months and look forward to the next two years in Sochi.”
Construction of Igora Drive began in 2017 and was completed two years later, with renowned F1 track designer Hermann Tilke working on the project.
The track has so far mainly hosted Russian national series, but was supposed to welcome the DTM, W Series and World Rallycross as the first deliberate events last year before the COVID-19 pandemic had to cancel it.
Moving to St. Petersburg will likely make the Russian Grand Prix more accessible, in line with F1 rights holder Liberty Media’s drive for more target cities on the calendar.
Sochi has not won a place in the hearts of many, neither in the F1 paddock nor in the wider fan base, but has proven to be a successful track for Mercedes, which has won all six races held there so far.
This year’s Russian Grand Prix is scheduled for September 26th.
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