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The F1 circuit in Sochi - the Black Sea equivalent of Monaco - that will host Russia's first GP in 2014 will be ready on time, have no "gimmicks" - and will allow overtaking.
City mayor Anatoly Pakhomov told Reuters, in emailed and translated replies to questions, that the track would be ready well ahead of the Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort that year. It's a city more Mediterranean in character, backed by mountain peaks and with palm-lined promenades.
A sort of Black Sea version of Monaco.
"Of course there are some specific features that will need to be added after the Olympics, such as run-off areas and catch fences," he admited, "but we foresee the base requirements of the track being completed about a one year before the first race."
SEVEN-YEAR DEAL
He said the biggest challenge was that the F1 calendar would not be finalised until late 2013, leaving organisers uncertain about how much time they would have after the Feb 7-23 games.
F1's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced a seven-year race deal in October, 2010 and said the first race could be postponed if it affected preparations for the Winter Olympics but Pakhomov doubted that would be necessary."
The mayor said organisers intended to use as many of the Olympic facilities as possible for the GP in an unusual legacy of the games. There would be no need to build two international news media centres and many of the high-profile Olympic structures could be used for corporate hospitality.
"The (GP) project has been very closely costed and government at all levels is investing just under $200-million in building the track's facilities," Pakhomov added.
'BALANCE MUST BE RIGHT'
Andrey Kraynik, a senior executive of Olympic and GP sponsor MegaFon, expected the street circuit near the Olympic Park to become a fan favourite.
"When we first invited (designer Hermann) Tilke to see Sochi in 2009 we stressed the importance of ensuring the track design balance was right," he said by email. "The track will be a classic track with an emphasis on good overtaking opportunities, no gimmicks. It will have a mix of high-speed corners, long straights and hairpins.
"On the one hand you will have the mountains as a backdrop and a city street-track feel at the same time. It will come to be loved by the fans like Montreal and be challenging like Monaco."
City mayor Anatoly Pakhomov told Reuters, in emailed and translated replies to questions, that the track would be ready well ahead of the Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort that year. It's a city more Mediterranean in character, backed by mountain peaks and with palm-lined promenades.
A sort of Black Sea version of Monaco.
"Of course there are some specific features that will need to be added after the Olympics, such as run-off areas and catch fences," he admited, "but we foresee the base requirements of the track being completed about a one year before the first race."
SEVEN-YEAR DEAL
He said the biggest challenge was that the F1 calendar would not be finalised until late 2013, leaving organisers uncertain about how much time they would have after the Feb 7-23 games.
F1's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced a seven-year race deal in October, 2010 and said the first race could be postponed if it affected preparations for the Winter Olympics but Pakhomov doubted that would be necessary."
The mayor said organisers intended to use as many of the Olympic facilities as possible for the GP in an unusual legacy of the games. There would be no need to build two international news media centres and many of the high-profile Olympic structures could be used for corporate hospitality.
"The (GP) project has been very closely costed and government at all levels is investing just under $200-million in building the track's facilities," Pakhomov added.
'BALANCE MUST BE RIGHT'
Andrey Kraynik, a senior executive of Olympic and GP sponsor MegaFon, expected the street circuit near the Olympic Park to become a fan favourite.
"When we first invited (designer Hermann) Tilke to see Sochi in 2009 we stressed the importance of ensuring the track design balance was right," he said by email. "The track will be a classic track with an emphasis on good overtaking opportunities, no gimmicks. It will have a mix of high-speed corners, long straights and hairpins.
"On the one hand you will have the mountains as a backdrop and a city street-track feel at the same time. It will come to be loved by the fans like Montreal and be challenging like Monaco."