Igora Drive to host F1 Russian Grand Prix from 2023

Formula 1 has confirmed the Russian Grand Prix will move from the Sochi Autodrom to Igora Drive from 2023.

Russia was added to the F1 calendar in 2014 with the Sochi circuit that loops around the various stadiums built for the Winter Olympics of that year.

However, F1 has revealed the 2022 event will be the last hosted by the semi-permanent venue with Igora Drive selected as the new location for the race.

Building work on the circuit at Igora Drive was completed in 2020 with the circuit initially awarded an FIA grade two licence, a licence that was recently upgraded to grade one, a requirement for any circuit visited by F1.

A statement confirming the news read: "Formula 1 is delighted to confirm that the Russian Grand Prix will move to the Autodrom Igora Drive in St Petersburg from 2023.

"We are looking forward to racing in a hugely exciting location that includes 10 professional tracks for racing and testing over approximately 100 hectares.

"It is located 54 km from Saint Petersburg, was designed by German architect Hermann Tilke and in 2020 received it’s FIA Grade 1 license. We will be providing more details on the race in the coming months and we are looking forward to racing in Sochi for the next two years."

The 15-turn circuit, four-kilometre circuit was due to host the first round of the DTM German touring car championship last year but the event was cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali added: “I am pleased to confirm following joint intensive work with our Russian partners and detailed assessment of Igora Drive [that] Formula 1 will be racing at that amazing circuit from 2023.

“I am impressed by Saint Petersburg and believe that the Russian Grand Prix at Igora Drive will be an incredible event.”

The existing contract between F1 and the Sochi Autodrom had been due to expire after the 2025 race but this relationship will now come to an end three years ahead of schedule.

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