Russia eyes permanent May date

Russian Grand Prix organisers have claimed that they want to host the race in May for the foreseeable future.

The race, which made its debut last year, will take place in October this season but will move to the front of the European season in May next year.

Race promoter Sergey Vorobyev told AUTOSPORT: "This new date is much better for us. We had actually been discussing an option to have the May date for this year.

"Unfortunately it didn't work out, but we're glad it now has for 2016, and we hope it will stay as our date for years to come.”

Vorobyev says that May is better as it coincides with a national holiday, and he hopes more fans will be attracted to the popular Sochi resort.

"The main reason for this is the first of May is the start of a long nine, 10-day holiday season in Russia”, he added.

"This is a period of the year when people typically have a four or five-day vacation or the full vacation, so it means they won't have to take time off to be in Sochi.

"Also, until the middle of May, it is still the skiing season, so people will be able to combine visiting Formula 1 and skiing, which makes attending even more attractive."

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