“We are glad that everything will go according to plan”: the Formula 1 stage of the Russian Grand Prix will be held in Sochi from September 25 to 27

The Russian stage of the Formula 1 Grand Prix has been included in the 2020 season calendar. As originally planned, it will be held from September 25 to 27 at the Sochi Autodrom and will be the tenth race officially approved at the moment. It will be preceded by the Tuscan Grand Prix at the Italian Mugello, which will be held from September 11 to 13.

“Last weekend a great start to the season in Austria took place, and we are more and more confident that we will be able to successfully skate the rest of 2020. The Russian Grand Prix stage is a significant event of this season, and we look forward to returning to Sochi in September. We are equally pleased with the opportunity to hold the race in Mugello for the first time. It will mark the 1000th Grand Prix in Ferrari history. Both races will be a huge event for the fans, ”said the executive director of Formula 1 Chase Carrie.

The chairman of the organizing committee of the Russian stage Dmitry Chernyshenko noted the importance of the fact that the competition will nevertheless take place this year. According to him, the Russian government will provide all the necessary support for the competition to be held at the proper level.

Formula 1 is one of the most popular international competitions of the world level. For Russian sports, it will become an important event, ”the official website of Sochi Autodrom quotes Chernyshenko.

Another good news for fans of motorsport is that spectators will be allowed to the race. Thus, the Russian Grand Prix will be one of the first to be attended by fans. The organizers assured that they are "carefully preparing" for the safe conduct of the stage.

Formula 1 has published an updated 2020 world championship calendar. The Russian round will take place as scheduled - from 25 to 27 September. Its spectators will see the world's best drivers battling each other from the Sochi Autodrom grandstands! # F1pic.twitter.com / NqRxYnAlzK

Carrying out starts in Sochi has long been in doubt. According to Aleksey Titov, director general of Rosgonka ANO, negotiations with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) have been ongoing since the epidemiological situation in the world began to deteriorate and it became clear that a full season would not succeed. On the part of the organizers, various options were proposed how to save the Sochi race.

“There was no competition among the promoters to get the right to conduct the race. Everyone clearly understood that people's health is the only priority, so decisions were made based on this consolidated position, ”Titov explained to RT.

Initially, it was assumed that Russia, like Austria and Italy, will accept two races in a row, but this idea had to be abandoned. Then some journalists even reported that this year the competition will be canceled. Their place in the calendar could take a stage in the German Hockenheim or the Portuguese Alhavra, which, however, it was decided to postpone to October. In addition, the option of holding the Sochi Grand Prix at a later date was considered.

“The double stage in Sochi was really mentioned as alternative“ fallback ”options. Moreover, both the experience of our team and the infrastructure were perfectly suited to implement this idea. However, there was no reason to focus on this option, we are quite comfortable with the traditional Grand Prix, and we are glad that it will go according to plan, ”Titov added.

Recall that the 2020 season could be a record for the number of stages, their number should be 22. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, many of them had to be canceled, and the start of the championship was completely moved to July. At the moment, the organizers of Formula 1 intend to hold 15-18 races. The calendar will be finalized in the coming weeks.

It is assumed that after Sochi the riders will have a week-long pause, then three European Grand Prix will take place. In addition to the German Hockeynheim and the Portuguese Algarve, this may be the third Italian stage at the Imola circuit, which renewed the FIA ​​license in early June.

As for the lower series, the organizers of the “Formula 3” reported that the season will end in Mugello. In addition, it is currently unknown whether Sochi will accept the Formula 2 race.

Despite the fact that there are two months left before the Russian Grand Prix, the organizers positively noted the readiness of Sochi Autodrom for the upcoming starts.

“Even during the peak of the pandemic, we did not stop preparing for the stage and worked remotely. Of course, many points could be finalized only after the restrictive measures were lifted, and our regime is now far from quarantine, but the organization is proceeding within the framework of existing plans. The pandemic and isolation, of course, made adjustments to the preparation process, and we had to reconsider a number of actions, but these tasks make the Russian stage of the Formula 1 World Cup closer and their team will be happy to solve, ”Titov concluded.

The first race of the season - 2020 was held on July 5 at the Red Bull Ring circuit. The victory was won by the pilot of Mercedes Valtteri Bottas. The second phase, scheduled for this weekend, will also be held in Austria.