The Moscow Raceway track in the Moscow region will be able to host Formula 1 races. The autodrome received this right after being assigned the highest category of the International Automobile Federation. Experts believe that Formula 1 is unlikely to move from Sochi to the Moscow region, since for this the track near Volokolamsk will have to be seriously improved.

The Moscow Raceway autodrome near Moscow received a license to host the Formula 1 stage. He was awarded the highest category of the International Automobile Federation. The track became the second in the country capable of hosting competitions in this class. The first appeared in Sochi, where the Russian Grand Prix was held for the first time in mid-October.

The Moscow Raceway autodrome was built according to the design of the famous developer of Formula 1 racing tracks Herman Tilke in the Volokolamsk district of the Moscow region. The opening of the autodrome took place in July 2012. Its length is about 4 km. Over the years, the circuit has hosted a number of major international competitions, including the World Series By Renault and Gran Turismo racing. The awarding of the highest status to the circuit was associated with the abolition of the previous 1T category that the track had. According to Igor Ermilin, Advisor to the President of the Russian Automobile Federation, the track already met almost all the requirements, and a small amount of work was required to obtain the highest category.

Moscow Raceway is unlikely to compete with the Sochi track in hosting the Russian Grand Prix, since Formula 1 already has a multi-year contract with it, said Alexander Kabanovsky, editor-in-chief of the autosport.com.ru portal.

“In fact, this became clear back in April of this year, but formalities, approvals, signings, and so on took a long time. But what will change? Nothing will change. Because the current seven-year contract was concluded for the holding of the Russian Grand Prix on the track in Sochi After the first very successful experience in October, all the teams and participants were delighted, and now hardly anyone will want to move from Sochi. Objectively, if we compare the scale of the project, the scope of the project and the level of infrastructure, then, of course, it is very good in Volokolamsk. but we must admit that it is in Sochi that the level meets all the requirements of Formula 1,” Kabanovsky explained to Kommersant FM.

In addition, in order to hold a Formula 1 stage on a track near Moscow, its owners will have to modify the circuit, says Andrey Los, deputy editor-in-chief of the F1News.ru portal.

“Certification of any autodrome is a standard act that confirms the capabilities of the infrastructure and so on. It is more profitable for any autodrome to receive the highest category, this means that, purely theoretically, Formula 1 races can be held on this track. The question is who will be there hold it? Of course, if something suddenly changes, for example, in Krasnodar they change their minds and say that this is an expensive event. Why not? Then they can consider the option of moving the Russian Grand Prix to the track near Volokolamsk, although its owners will have to make efforts. efforts to bring it to the international level,” Los said.

The Moscow region authorities have already promised to appeal to the country's leadership with a request to hold the Russian Formula 1 stage on the track near Volokolamsk.

Evgeny Snegov

"Formula 1 is unlikely to want to move from Sochi to the Moscow region"