Four-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel became the first F1 driver to lap the newly completed Sochi Autodrom in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, ahead of this year’s inaugural Russian Grand Prix recently.
After finishing fifth in the Belgian GP, the Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver and Infiniti Director of Performance travelled straight to Sochi from Spa Francorchamps to complete a number of high-speed laps of the full Grand Prix circuit in an Infiniti Q50 Hybrid.
This isn’t the first time Vettel set foot on the track, having visited the venue with Infiniti in April 2013 when the circuit was still under construction. Since then, the complex has hosted the 2014 Winter Olympic Games ahead of the inaugural Russian Grand Prix due to take place on October 12, 2014. The Sochi Autodrom, designed by famed Formula One architect Hermann Tilke, features 18 corners across 5.8 km and will host round 16 of the 2014 World Championship.
Commenting on his driving experience in Russia, Sebastian Vettel said, “It is great to be back in Sochi, and the venue has been transformed since I was last here when it was really just a construction site. Having driven the full circuit for the first time in the Infiniti Q50 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.”
Check out the video below to see Sebastian Vettel takes the first ever lap of Sochi F1 track!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88b7VqEeisc
