Formula 1’s Russian Grand Prix will move to Autodrom Igora Drive, near St. Petersburg, from 2023, it has been confirmed.
Formula 1 first visited Russia in 2014 at a facility constructed around the venues that were utilised for the Winter Olympics, adjacent to the Black Sea, in Adler.
Sochi Autodrom (pictured) has since been included on the calendar each year but on Saturday it was announced that Igora Drive will take over hosting duties of Russia’s Formula 1 round from 2023.
Igora Drive, designed by Hermann Tilke, was constructed in 2017 and last year received an FIA Grade 1 licence as it targeted attracting leading motorsport categories.
The anti-clockwise 4.086km circuit, which features 14 corners, is located around 50km from Saint Petersburg.
The circuit is part of a complex that also has a motocross and rallycross track, a karting facility, and a driving safety centre.
Igora Drive was due to host a round of the DTM championship in 2020 but this was cancelled due to the pandemic, meaning the circuit has yet to hold an international event.
“I am pleased to confirm following joint intensive work with our Russian partners and detailed assessment of Igora Drive – Formula 1 will be racing at that amazing circuit from 2023,” Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said.
“I am impressed by Saint Petersburg and believe that the Russian Grand Prix at Igora Drive will be an incredible event.”
Igora Drive has several influential members on its advisory committee, most notably Alexander Drozdenko, the governor of the Leningrad region, and businessman Grigory Berezkin, Chairman of the ESN Group.
ESN Group is a private equity firm that has investments in numerous industries, including media, energy, infrastructure, and the petrochemical sector, and has previously entered into business partnerships with Russia’s sovereign wealth fund.
