The Russian F1 GP still on track despite the Ukrainian crisis

The first Russian Grand Prix in the history of Formula 1 is still on track for October this year despite concerns about the current situation in Ukraine. This is what the race promoter, Sergey Vorobyev, stated at the Spanish Grand Prix.

I have no doubt that the race will go well. The work is progressing at a good pace, and we have operational and sporting preparations being carried out intensively. There is no doubt from any point of view that the race will indeed take place, Vorobyev told Reuters.

Same sentiment from the FIA President, Jean Todt, who was also interviewed in Barcelona. The Frenchman admitted that there was nothing that should change the course of the calendar.

After the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula at the expense of Ukraine last March, there were speculations about a possible cancellation of the Grand Prix scheduled for October 12, 2014 – particularly following the cancellation of the Superbike round scheduled in Moscow on September 21.

But Vorobyev stated that the work is on track and the circuit should be ready well before the scheduled Grand Prix date: « We have entered an active phase of construction. We are working on the interiors of the buildings for the teams, the pits, and the stands. We are preparing the final layer of asphalt which will soon be completed. We are confident that the circuit will be ready by August. »