Sirius Territory Chief: F1's Comeback is Possible in Sochi
Mar.20 - Formula 1 can return to Russia if a new agreement is reached, the boss of the federal territory of Sirius has announced.
The sport unilaterally axed the Russian GP deal at the onset of the Ukraine-Russia conflict in early 2022, with F1 declaring at the team that it was "impossible to hold" in the "current circumstances".
It was reported that axing the race at Sochi, a resort city located in the Sirius territory, blew a $50 million hold in F1's budget at the time.
In the meantime, with the Ukraine war still taking place, part of the Sochi circuit was dismantled. But Elena Shmeleva, chairman of the Sirius territory, says the track could be restored for Formula 1.
"Formula 1?" she is quoted as saying. "We are waiting. The Formula 1 venue itself remains.
"There was a huge cycling event there yesterday," Shmeleva added. "And there will be more and more such events."
However, she doesn't deny that only part of the original layout - part of the Olympic Park venue which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics - still resembles a Formula 1 circuit.
"There is a small ring of 2.4 kilometres left," she said. "But the entire large ring can be recreated for any type of event, such as Formula 1, provided that they are ready to have it."
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F1 definitely won't ever return to Russia. Too much damage got done for even a distant-future return to be viable.
Generally, the saying 'never say never' applies in life, but not on this matter.
F1, not only should they not go back to Sochi until the Ukraine invasion is repelled and damages paid (that's right...NEVER,) they should also pull out of Saudi Arabia until MSB is gone.
I know all F1 cares about is making money, but they are prostituting themselves racing in these locations. It's despicable!
The only ways for Saudi Arabian GP to get removed are either starting a war like Russia or human rights not improving in the long-term.
No idea what going back to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has to do with MSB, He is an Emirati.
Unless of course "they" are "all the same".
I'd like to see him repel Torger Christian's grab for power, then not contest re-election.
Oil is paying for all the investment in that part of the world, whilst we all all. or most of think we shouldn't be racing there, cutting , and I use that term loosely (especially journalistic speaking) the Arabs free would not be a good idea for world economics unless wed like the oil price to be $300 a barrel but heh its just an opinion,
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