What will the Russian Grand Prix look like in 2023?

The route of Sochi, which is doing quite well at Mercedes, is seeing its penultimate edition this weekend. Added to the calendar Formula 1 since 2014, the Russian Grand Prix will move 80 kilometers north of Saint Petersburg, to the Igora Drive track, from the 2023 season. This change of circuit will be valid for at least three editions, since the FIA and the Russian GP signed a contract lasting until 2025. When this move was announced, Stefano Domenicali was enthusiastic, “I am impressed with St. Petersburg and I believe the Russian Grand Prix at Igora Drive will be an incredible event”.

A route 5,18 kilometers long

Built by Hermann Tilke, work on the Igora Drive circuit began in 2016, and was inaugurated at the end of 2019. The W Series and a stage of the DTM should have been the first international rounds to run on this track, but these events were canceled due to the Covid-19 crisis. The track is made up of 18 turns, two main straights and a final loop located on an up-down slope of 12%. But the route will undergo some modifications before the 2023 Grand Prix. “There is a project that plans to extend the track. If we compare with the other circuits on the calendar, in the current configuration, it is closer to the end of the list in terms of length. Therefore, it must be made longer » explains Alexey Titov, the promoter of the Russian Grand Prix.

BREAKING: The Russian Grand Prix will move to the Igor Drive Autodrom in St Petersburg from 2023#F1 pic.twitter.com/O3vcfbWf7t

- Formula 1 (@ F1) June 26, 2021

Currently, the circuit measures 4,08 kilometers, the second shortest track in the championship, behind Monaco (3,337 kilometers). To make the race more exciting, new work will be carried out to add 1 kilometer of track. By lengthening the two straights, the objective is to add a new zone to facilitate overtaking. Other modifications are planned before the arrival of F1 single-seaters for 2023. “We are going to add elevation, some turns will be inclined. From a sporting point of view, it will be an exciting spectacle." explains Alexey Titov. In terms of infrastructure, it will be expanded and several garages will be added to accommodate the F1 teams. 

Asked about the change of calendar, the pilot of Formula 2 Robert Schwartzman welcomed this change to the calendar. The Russian, born in Saint Petersburg, hopes to be able to ride on the circuit of his hometown. “I can’t say Sochi is a bad track. I really like Sochi. I drove to Igora once and I also like this new circuit. Personally, for me, as I am from St. Petersburg, I prefer Igora because it is much more comfortable for me to come here. I really hope all the categories that come here enjoy it. I hope you see me racing at my local track ». 

A step on the calendar Moto GP ? 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only a few national rounds took place on this new circuit, after the cancellation of the DTM and W Series stages. In the future, in addition to Formula 1, it is mentioned that the Igora Drive track could host Moto GP.