Vettel first to drive Sochi GP track

Published Aug 26, 2014

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Sochi, Russia - Four times Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel has become the first F1 driver to lap the newly completed Sochi Autodrom at Krasnodar Krai, ahead of this year's inaugural Russian Grand Prix.

Vettel went straight to Sochi from Spa Francorchamps after finishing fifth in the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday and after a tour of the complex, completed a number of high speed laps of the full Grand Prix circuit in an Infiniti Q50 Hybrid.

Vettel was joined by former Formula One driver David Coulthard, who drove the circuit with VIP guests and media.

Vettel had been there before, in April 2013 when the circuit was still under construction. Since then, Sochi has hosted the 2014 Winter Olympic Games ahead of the inaugural Russian Grand Prix, Round 16 of the 2014 World Championship, scheduled for 12 October 2014.

The Sochi Autodrom, designed by famed Formula One architect Hermann Tilke, is 5.8km long, with 18 corners.

"The circuit has really been transformed," Vettel said. "When last I was here it was really just a construction site.

"I drove the full circuit for the first time today; it's an interesting layout with a good mix of high-speed corners and technical sections.

It's going to be a huge challenge in a Formula One car, for sure, and I'm really looking forward to coming back in October."

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