The F1 circuit lies right inside the Olympic Park and weaves its way through the magnificent facilities built for the Winter Games. More than 50,000 people attended this seminal event, the first Formula 1 Grand Prix in Russia’s history.
Over the weekend, besides the race itself, fans enjoyed a full program of events. It included concerts at the Medal Plaza — a stone’s throw away from the Olympic Torch. During the day there were competitions and exhibitions in the Formula 1 Village, or one could simply stroll through the park and admire the spectacular views.
The race was won by Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, handing his Mercedes team the Constructors’ Championship title in the process. His winning drive around the 3.6-mile F1 circuit in Sochi was witnessed by 55,000 spectators, who watched as the race cars sped their way past the Olympic facilities, a truly unique setting.
In the words of Russia’s first F1 driver, Vitaly Petrov, the recent success of Russian drivers had a hand in bringing Formula 1 to Russia. Previous attempts to stage the event in and around Moscow were unsuccessful. However, for Russia’s 20-year-old Daniil Kvyat of the Toro Rosso team, who had secured a personal-best fifth place on the starting grid, the race was not one to remember: a poor start cost him three places, condemning him to tenth position at the finishing line.
Read more: Destiny beckons for rising star Daniil Kvyat on eve of Sochi Grand Prix
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